Using mobile internet in India may become more expensive in the future.
Reports suggest that the government is considering a new tax on mobile data usage.
If this proposal is approved, users may have to pay about ₹1 for every GB of data they use.
However, this idea is still under study and no final decision has been taken yet.
Government Considering Tax on Mobile Data
According to reports, the government has asked the Department of Telecommunications to study whether a data usage tax can be introduced and how it would work.
One option being discussed is a ₹1 tax per GB of mobile data.
If such a rule is implemented, internet plans could become slightly more expensive because the extra charge would be added to users’ data usage.
At present, telecom users in India already pay 18% GST on mobile recharges, so any additional tax would increase the overall cost of using mobile data.
Why the Government Is Exploring This Idea
There are a few reasons why the government is studying this proposal.
First, officials believe that a small tax on data usage could generate significant revenue because internet consumption in India is very high.
In 2025 alone, Indians used about 229 billion GB of mobile data.
If a ₹1 tax per GB were applied, the government could potentially earn around ₹22,900 crore each year.
Another reason mentioned in reports is the increasing screen time among young people.
The government wants to encourage more responsible internet usage and reduce excessive online activity, especially among children.
No Final Decision Yet
It is important to note that this is only a proposal for now.
The telecom department has been asked to prepare a detailed study and submit a report by September 2026.
After reviewing the report, the government will decide whether to introduce the tax or not.
Experts have also raised concerns that taxing data could make internet access more expensive and potentially affect digital growth in the country.
For now, mobile data prices remain the same, and users do not need to pay any extra tax until the government makes a final decision.
