Increase in Women’s Online Banking in Rural India
Recent surveys indicate rise in online banking capabilities among women in rural India. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s Comprehensive Modular Survey – Telecom, 2025, reveals that 30.0 per cent of women in rural areas can now perform online banking transactions. This marks a notable increase from 17.1 per cent in the previous year. The surge is particularly pronounced among young women aged 15-24, where the percentage has doubled, reaching 51.4 per cent.
Survey
The survey was conducted in early 2025, covering 34,950 households across India. It included 19,071 households in rural areas and 15,879 in urban settings. A total of 1.42 lakh individuals were contacted, with 82,573 from rural areas. The results highlight a broader trend of increasing digital engagement in financial activities.
Gender Disparities
While both genders show increased online banking capabilities, rural men reported a higher percentage at 73.3 per cent, up from 40.2 per cent in 2022-23. This disparity puts stress on a growing digital divide, even as women’s participation rises.
Urban vs Rural Banking
In urban areas, online banking penetration is already high, with 62.4 per cent of respondents aged 15 years and above engaging in online transactions, up from 50.6 per cent. Nationally, 48.9 per cent of individuals aged 15 and above can perform online banking, an increase from 37.8 per cent in the prior year.
The Role of UPI
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has emerged as the preferred channel for online banking. In rural areas, 86.7 per cent of users rely solely on UPI. In urban areas, this figure is 74.4 per cent. The survey indicates that only 18.0 per cent of respondents aged 15 years or more use UPI alongside other banking channels.
Online Purchases
The survey also examined online purchasing habits. Approximately 24.5 per cent of Indian households made online purchases in the last 30 days. This figure is 16.0 per cent for rural households and 39.4 per cent for urban households. Among urban buyers, 52.4 per cent purchased both food and non-food items.
Mobile Phone and Internet Access
The increase in online banking is closely linked to mobile phone and internet access. About 85.7 per cent of respondents aged 15 years and above used a mobile phone recently. Ownership rates are higher in urban areas, with 81.2 per cent compared to 64.6 per cent in rural areas.
Smartphone Usage
Smartphone ownership is prevalent, with 79.9 per cent of mobile phone owners having smartphones. Over 90 per cent of individuals under 29 years old own a smartphone. This trend supports the growing use of online banking and purchasing.
Internet Usage Growth
Internet usage has also increased , particularly in rural areas. Among females, 57.6 per cent used the internet in the last three months, compared to 42.6 per cent in 2022-23. For males, the figure is 72.1 per cent, up from 59.5 per cent.
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