India switches off the internet more than almost anyone
A blackout is invisible to everyone except the people living through it. India orders them more than almost any country on earth.
According to Access Now’s global tracker, India imposed 84 internet shutdowns in 2024 — the highest of any democracy, and second worldwide only to Myanmar’s military junta. Other trackers count differently (SFLC.in logged 60, totalling over 3,100 hours), but every count puts India near the top.
The economic cost alone was estimated at about $322 million in 2024, affecting tens of millions of users.
Who loses connectivity, and why
Of the 2024 shutdowns, 41 were tied to protests, 23 to communal violence, and several to government job exams. The most-affected regions were Manipur (21), Haryana (12) and Jammu & Kashmir (12).
Shutdowns are often justified as keeping order — but they also switch off ambulances’ apps, students’ classes, traders’ payments and citizens’ ability to document what’s happening. Courts have held that indefinite blanket shutdowns are unconstitutional.
Sources · Free to verify
This is a sourced explainer built on public data — not original reporting. Every figure traces to a source above.