Access, Equity, and Quality of Information in the Indian Context
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Date
2025-12-02
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INFLIBNET Centre Gandhinagar
Abstract
In India’s dynamic and diverse socio-cultural landscape, access, equity, and quality of
information are essential for participatory governance, educational advancement, and
inclusive development. This paper examines these interlinked dimensions within the Indian
context, analysing the infrastructural, socio-political, and technological challenges that
shape information dissemination and utilisation. Despite progressive policies like the Right
to Information Act (2005), Digital India, and One Nation One Subscription, disparities persist
due to language barriers, digital illiteracy, and infrastructural limitations. Equity concerns
remain prominent among marginalised groups, including Scheduled Castes, women, persons
with disabilities, and rural populations, often excluded from digital resources due to structural
constraints. The study highlights the role of libraries, both academic and public, as well as
digital resources, as critical access points, but notes their limitations in terms of funding and
modernisation. It also emphasises the importance of ensuring quality through reliable, relevant,
and updated content, particularly in academic and governmental domains, while combating
predatory publishing and misinformation. Technological innovations and policy interventions,
such as SWAYAM, NDLI, and Open Government Data platforms, offer promising directions.
Drawing comparisons with global models, the paper advocates for inclusive design,
multilingual support, and community-centred digital strategies to ensure equitable and high-
quality information access for all citizens
Description
14th International CALIBER 2025, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, November 17-19, 2025
Keywords
Digital Divide, Information literacy, National Education Policy - India