38.5 million Internet users in India

The number of Internet users in India has gone up to 3.85 crore (38.5 million) from 2.5 crore (25 million) recorded in 2004-05, a growth of 54 per cent, according to Internet & Mobile Association of India.

IAMAI president Preeti Desai attributed it to increasing use of online communication, online content and e-commerce.

She said the latent demand with double digit growth of online shopping for services such as airline ticketing, railway ticketing and product categories like electronic gadgets and home appliances have also acted as catalysts for this growth.

The current e-commerce market of Rs 1,180 crore (Rs 11.8 billion) in India is likely to grow to Rs 2,300 crore (Rs 23 billion) by 2006-2007, an IAMAI release said.