TOI Habit Index Survey: How people follow the news; what shapes their outlook

The Times of India conducted the Habit Index survey to understand how people consume political and national news. The survey found that a majority of respondents actively follow such news on a daily basis, showing a strong interest in government policies and current affairs.

According to the survey, over 61% of respondents said they actively follow daily political or national news updates, while nearly 25% said they check headlines occasionally. Just over 6% admitted to rarely following such news and around 4% said they engage only during elections or major events.

Among those who follow national news closely, government policies and governance emerged as the most engaging topics, followed by stories on the economy and development. More than a quarter said they consume “a bit of everything”, indicating a broad-based interest rather than focus on a single beat.

For occasional news consumers, big headline events and trending stories on social media were the biggest triggers for engagement. Over a third said they check the news when major events dominate headlines, while a similar proportion said social media trends prompt them to stay updated. News that directly impacts daily life ranked much lower.

Respondents who avoid political news cited negativity and repetition as the biggest reasons, followed by lack of trust in the media. Many also said political coverage often feels irrelevant to their lives or that they struggle to find unbiased sources.

Television remains a major news source, with nearly one-third of respondents relying on TV channels, largely due to perceptions of credibility and the appeal of live debates.

However, online news portals and apps emerged as the most preferred platform overall, with over 41% choosing digital sources. Transparency, clear separation between news and opinion and the absence of clickbait were cited as key markers of credibility online.

Social media platforms accounted for over 23% of news consumption, driven by instant, visual formats and short-form content, while WhatsApp and word-of-mouth updates were trusted mainly because they come from familiar people. A small section of respondents said they do not follow news regularly, citing stress, lack of time or difficulty in identifying reliable information.

When asked about India’s overall direction in 2025, the survey found that most respondents held a positive view. More than 42% said they were very confident about the country’s future, mainly due to expectations of economic growth, job creation and technological progress. Nearly one in four said they felt cautiously positive, adding that more attention is needed on education, healthcare and skill development.

At the same time, about a quarter of respondents expressed mixed feelings, pointing to political instability, economic uncertainty and social polarisation as key concerns. A smaller proportion said they were pessimistic, citing governance issues, rising living costs and limited job opportunities.

For those feeling least optimistic, stronger economic performance, transparent leadership and improvements in healthcare and education were identified as the key factors that could rebuild trust and confidence in the country’s future.

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