Authors: Asmi, Phalguni Bhardwaj, Mrityunjay Pal, Bhawana, Rohit, Srinika Mahato, Bharti Yadav, Akshita Paul

Abstract

Over the past decade, India’s Digital Revolution- marked by the Jandhan Aadhar Mobile Trinity, the UPI ecosystem and Direct Benefit Transfer, has fundamentally transformed citizen-state interaction. However, this shift hasn’t been gender neutral. The very infrastructure that was designed to guarantee benefits has gradually become another place of marginalization for millions of women, particularly those who live in rural and low-income households.

This study explains that the Digital Gender Gap limits Indian women’s regular use of online government services and social welfare programs. Applying mixed-methods research methodology, a structured primary survey of 101 individuals from urban, semi-urban, and rural contexts is combined with a thorough analysis of government publications, scholarly literature, and policy materials spanning the years 2019 to 2025. The findings show a troubling situation. Even though more people have smartphones and digital skills are improving, women still face many challenges. The main problems are not having enough devices, social and cultural obstacles, worries about online safety, and relying on men to help.

The study argues that when equal access to digital technology is assumed, India’s digital welfare system ends up reinforcing gender hierarchies in how it is designed. Therefore, policy responses must shift from infrastructure provision to feminist digital design, emphasizing affordability, gender-disaggregated accountability frameworks, local-language interfaces, and community-based support.