Srinagar, Jan 29: Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a remarkable rise in smartphone adoption.
As per the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024, smartphone penetration in Jammu and Kashmir surged from 53.6% in 2018 to 84.7% in 2022. It hit 90.7% in 2024.
This significant growth places Jammu and Kashmir among the top 10 states in India with the highest percentage of households using smartphones.
Jammu and Kashmir as per the report is ranked at eighth position for having a maximum number of households with smartphones. At the national level, the number of households with smartphones has grown to 84 percent.
The report said that 93.7 percent of the children aged between 14-16 years have smartphones at home. It said 83.9 percent of the children with smartphones at home know it.
Another report said the rise is attributed to improved digital infrastructure, affordable mobile data, and increasing smartphone affordability. Government initiatives promoting digital literacy and expanding 4G and 5G connectivity have further fuelled this rapid adoption.
The teledensity of Jammu and Kashmir stands at 89.17 percent, ranking it 18th among all states and union territories.
The ASER report further said 72.4 percent of the children aged between 14- 16 years, can perform digital tasks through smartphones. It said 83.5 percent can browse while 87.6 percent of children can set an alarm.
Jammu and Kashmir-based smartphone retailers and dealers claimed that the availability of easy finance, particularly EMI options by financial institutions has escalated the sales of smartphones in the last few years.
“Now, we have the option of loans for smartphones. A person without depositing any amount can buy a smartphone of his or her choice by paying installments. We have seen a surge in sales of smartphones for the last few years. After COVID-19, students have become dependent on smartphones for learning lessons, which boosted the sales of phones,” said Sajad Ahmad Dar, a mobile phone dealer.