India recorded 65 internet shutdowns in 2025, highest among democracies: Access Now report
360° Perspective Analysis
Deep-dive into Geography, Polity, Economy, History, Environment & Social dimensions — AI-powered, on-demand
Context
A report by the global digital rights group 'Access Now' reveals that India imposed 65 internet shutdowns in 2025, the highest among all democracies. While this figure is the lowest for India since 2017, the country still accounts for the highest cumulative number of shutdowns globally since 2016. The report highlights that these disruptions were primarily used as a tool to control information flow during protests, conflicts, and communal violence, raising significant questions about their compatibility with democratic principles.
UPSC Perspectives
Polity & Governance
Internet shutdowns represent a critical friction point between state security and fundamental rights. The Supreme Court, in the landmark [Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India] (2020) case, declared that access to the internet is a fundamental right, flowing from the right to freedom of speech and expression under [Article 19(1)(a)] and the right to practice any profession or trade under Article 19(1)(g). The Court established that any restriction must be temporary, lawful, necessary, and proportionate, and that indefinite shutdowns are impermissible. Despite this, the Access Now report suggests a continued reliance on shutdowns. The legal framework governing these suspensions primarily includes the [Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017], issued under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. Historically, Section 144 of the CrPC was also frequently used. The report's finding that India often fails to publish shutdown orders, as mandated by the Supreme Court, points to a significant governance and accountability deficit. UPSC may ask about the constitutional validity of internet shutdowns and the safeguards laid down by the judiciary.
Internal Security
From an internal security perspective, authorities justify internet shutdowns as a necessary, albeit blunt, instrument to maintain public order and prevent the escalation of violence. The primary justification is to curb the rapid spread of misinformation, hate speech, and mobilization for riots or protests via social media platforms. The article notes shutdowns were deployed during conflict and communal violence. For example, the ban on unauthorized VPNs in Jammu and Kashmir, imposed under [Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita] (the successor to Section 144 CrPC), was justified by citing threats to national security and the need to prevent incitement to unrest. Authorities argue that tools like VPNs are exploited by anti-national elements for encrypted communication, making it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and preempt threats. However, critics argue that such blanket measures are disproportionate, ineffective against determined actors who find workarounds, and often hinder the flow of essential information for peaceful citizens, creating an information vacuum that can be filled with more rumors.
Social & Economic
Internet shutdowns have profound social and economic consequences, disrupting daily life in a digitally dependent society. Economically, they cripple sectors reliant on connectivity, including e-commerce, banking, education, and the gig economy, leading to significant financial losses. The freedom to carry on trade and commerce via the internet, protected under [Article 19(1)(g)], is directly curtailed. Socially, shutdowns isolate communities and impede access to critical services like online education, telemedicine, and digital payments. This disproportionately affects marginalized groups and undermines the government's own [Digital India] initiative. The report's mention of authorities targeting circumvention tools like [Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)] highlights a 'cat-and-mouse' game that infringes on digital privacy and the right to information. While governments see VPNs as a threat, citizens often use them for privacy and to access global information, not necessarily for illicit activities. For UPSC, it is important to analyze the socio-economic costs of internet shutdowns and weigh them against the stated security benefits.