Mon Feb 24 10:00:00 UTC 2025: ## India’s Internet Shutdowns Remain High Despite Global Increase

**NEW DELHI, February 25, 2025** – A new report by Access Now reveals a global surge in internet shutdowns in 2024, with a total of 296 incidents. While Myanmar recorded the highest number of shutdowns (85), India experienced 84, representing 28% of the global total. This marks a decrease from the previous year’s figures for India, but remains a significant concern.

The report highlights that Indian shutdowns disproportionately affected 16 states and union territories, with Manipur (21), Haryana (12), and Jammu & Kashmir (12) leading the count. A significant portion of these shutdowns (41 out of 84) were attributed to protests, and 23 to communal violence. The report further criticized the practice of imposing shutdowns before examinations, citing five instances in India in 2024 alone, calling this a disproportionate response to potential cheating. These shutdowns disrupted exams in states such as Jharkhand, Assam, and Rajasthan.

Access Now emphasized that although India did not experience the highest number of shutdowns globally, the sheer number within the country remains a cause for worry, particularly in relation to the stated justifications for imposing the restrictions. The report also details the involvement of other countries and groups in imposing shutdowns within Myanmar, including China, Thailand and various armed groups.

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