Nearly one billion people in the country do not have access to the internet yet, according to a World Bank report. "At least 8 in 10 individuals in India own a mobile phone and digital technologies are spreading rapidly . With nearly a billion people still not connected to the internet, the opportunities for increasing access to digital technology for creating higher growth, more jobs, and better public services are significant for India," said the World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends.

The report has been put together by co-directors, Deepak Mishra and Uwe Deichmann. Mishra said that though digital technology can be transformative, there is no shortcut to development, reported the Times of India. He added that digital development strategies need to be broader than just information and communication technology strategies.

Among other things, the report observed that India has the maximum restrictions and regulations in retail finance and banking sectors. The report also acknowledged the potential of the Digital India initiative, and hailed the Aadhaar programme saying it has inspired many countries.