How Social Media Trends in India Are Shaping the Digital Future – The Inside Scoop!
Ankita Rai | Tue, 01 Apr 2025
Examine how India's social media trends have changed how we communicate, entertain, and push for reform. Discover the top 10 trends that have dominated India's social media scene, from the rise of TikTok to the continued impact of influencers in fashion and politics, from viral challenges to digital activism. Explore 2025's intriguing advancements, such as IIT Baba and Monalisa 2.0's ascent to prominence in the changing digital landscape.
( Image credit : Pexels )
Photo:
At warp speed, the digital space of social media has proliferated and transformed in the Indian context as a formidable force as a communication aid, entertainment medium, activism platform and much more. From memes that leave you in splits to revolutions in the virtual space, Indian social media trends have seized imagination and hearts of millions, right from pop culture to politics. From the top TikTok challenges to their resultant memes, let us look at some of the funniest social media trends that went viral in India in the previous few years and that are still the face of water cooler talks of the digital age in the year 2025.

TikTok was one of the most radical social media platforms in India until it was banned in 2020. It spawned a new generation of creators — primarily tier 2 and tier 3 city dwellers — who suddenly became celebrities. Everybody had become hot, thanks to the short video format of TikTok, from lip-sync videos and dance challenges to comedy skits and the whole shebang. But TikTok is still felt in India's online space, with apps including Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts taking up the challenge after the ban.
If there is something, which India take great liking to, over the last few years then it has to be memes. The proliferation of apps such as Instagram, Twitter, and WhatsApp placed Indian social media firmly within the orbit of meme culture. In India, memes are used to signify everything from political irony to mild daily grievances. From "Gormint Aunty" meme, to "Modi Ji Ki Baat" series, memes as a light-hearted mode of highly engaging mode have taken the nation by storm. Meme culture is also exercise, serving as a platform for generations of youth to politically and socially comment — and it continues to thrive through 2025.

The 2014 and 2019 Indian general elections were paradigm shifts for political poleditical campaigning in which social media was at the helm of affairs. BJP's social media campaign with special focus on WhatsApp groups, Twitter trends and Facebook ads changed political campaigning in Indian politics. There is no denying the power of the virtual platform in political discourse and even now 2025, political parties and politicians are committed to ensuring themselves a mighty social media presence to make connections to voters, promote agendas, and gather support.
For years now, Instagram has been the leading platform of choice for Indian influencers, where many a young creator has turned their passion for lifestyle, fashion, beauty and fitness into a viable, lucrative career. From Prajakta Koli to Kusha Kapila and Masoom Minawala, influencers have monetized their online personas, working with big brands and setting trends. The dark side of Instagram The pursuit of gaining followers still means that Instagram is a breeding ground for digital influencers in 2025, and fashion and beauty highly spread with the help of influencer marketing (source: Statista).

The #MeToo movement had gained momentum in India in 2018, when women across the country started to go public and share their accounts of sexual harassment and assault. Public personalities were targeted, including Bollywood stars, and women joined together by speaking up themselves. These voices turned to social media, forming an online forum for solidarity and accountability. In India, the #MeToo movement remapped consent, gender equality, and safety at work; its implications resonate in the women’s rights discourse even now.
In 2020, when Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput died under tragic circumstances, a large online campaign used the hashtag #JusticeForSushant to demand a CBI probe into his death. Activists and fans flooded social networking sites demanding a CBI probe into his death. Within seconds, a social media protest had erupted, with Twitter and Instagram flooded with messages and tweets calling for justice. It was a seminal moment of online activism in India’s history, showcasing the power of social media to stoke public anger and organize around causes, including within the entertainment industry.

Bollywood stars have long been at the heart of Indian popular culture, but social networking sites have given them a way to engage with their fans as never before. Only a handful of celebrity Indians including Deepika Padukone, Virat Kohli and Priyanka Chopra have resorted to such platforms as Twitter and Instagram to reach out and talk to their fans directly. Whether they are promoting a film at the box office or launching social movements, Bollywood stars have become extremely powerful forces for shaping attitudes and trends in India. From 2020 through 2025, celebrities continue to use their platforms for both self-promotion and activism.
India evolved towards being a digital empowered nation with the initiative of "Digital India" under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It offers an immense potential in terms of internet penetration in India, connecting millions of rural consumers online for the first time. Social media has taken off, especially in towns and villages and mobile and cheap data have made ticking the internet is one of the most economical propositions. Accordingly, the social media discourse and trends in India are not limited only to a few cities but wash through the country.
The pandemic by COVID-19 Virus came in the form of near-global lockdown, and India was no exception either. Schools and colleges also moved on to online mediums, and social media became the primary platform to share the learning material, assignments, as well as educational content. YouTube and Instagram saw an uptick in education content creators who were providing free tutorials and lessons. Fast forward to 2025, websites like Byju's, Unacademy, Vedantu continue to dominate the education landscape, delivering education to millions of people across the country.

Well, in 2025, you can expect much more from the Indian cyber landscape, where players like IIT Baba—an AI-based virtual student advisor—and Monalisa 2.0, the cyber relative of the most famous painting in the world are gaining traction. Such trends speak to how technology and social media have increasingly blurred boundaries, rendering everything from learning to art something other. The below mentioned trends are evolving from the Indian subcontinent, which is on the rise ofIndia's digital revolution, resonating through the creative minds of individuals from the Indian subcontinent.
India's social media trends reflect an extremely fast-paced, ever changing digital culture in the country. Politics or meme wars, online activism or influencer marketing, India social media is creativity, innovation, social change. And with this progression heading in towards 2025, the bright and warm colours of social media trends in India will make the new technology and marketing platform revolution healthy and flourishing adding new heights of social media trends in digital era.
Unlock insightful tips and inspiration on personal growth, productivity, and well-being. Stay motivated and updated with the latest at My Life XP.
1. The TikTok Boom (2016-2020)
tik tok
( Image credit : Pexels )
TikTok was one of the most radical social media platforms in India until it was banned in 2020. It spawned a new generation of creators — primarily tier 2 and tier 3 city dwellers — who suddenly became celebrities. Everybody had become hot, thanks to the short video format of TikTok, from lip-sync videos and dance challenges to comedy skits and the whole shebang. But TikTok is still felt in India's online space, with apps including Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts taking up the challenge after the ban.
2. Memes and Meme Culture
3. Political Social Media Ads
social media ads
( Image credit : Pixabay )
The 2014 and 2019 Indian general elections were paradigm shifts for political poleditical campaigning in which social media was at the helm of affairs. BJP's social media campaign with special focus on WhatsApp groups, Twitter trends and Facebook ads changed political campaigning in Indian politics. There is no denying the power of the virtual platform in political discourse and even now 2025, political parties and politicians are committed to ensuring themselves a mighty social media presence to make connections to voters, promote agendas, and gather support.
4. Instagram Influencer & Fashion Trend
5. #MeToo Movement in India (2018)
me too
( Image credit : Pixabay )
The #MeToo movement had gained momentum in India in 2018, when women across the country started to go public and share their accounts of sexual harassment and assault. Public personalities were targeted, including Bollywood stars, and women joined together by speaking up themselves. These voices turned to social media, forming an online forum for solidarity and accountability. In India, the #MeToo movement remapped consent, gender equality, and safety at work; its implications resonate in the women’s rights discourse even now.
6. Digital Activism: And But Justice For Sushant (2020)
7. Bollywood’s Social Media Influence
Deepika (Picture credit : Instagram)
Bollywood stars have long been at the heart of Indian popular culture, but social networking sites have given them a way to engage with their fans as never before. Only a handful of celebrity Indians including Deepika Padukone, Virat Kohli and Priyanka Chopra have resorted to such platforms as Twitter and Instagram to reach out and talk to their fans directly. Whether they are promoting a film at the box office or launching social movements, Bollywood stars have become extremely powerful forces for shaping attitudes and trends in India. From 2020 through 2025, celebrities continue to use their platforms for both self-promotion and activism.
8. Initiative of “Digital India”
9. Navigating Social Media Time: #OnlineClasses (2020-Present)
10. The Kumbh of the Social Media Trends of 2025
IIT Baba
( Image credit : Pexels )
Well, in 2025, you can expect much more from the Indian cyber landscape, where players like IIT Baba—an AI-based virtual student advisor—and Monalisa 2.0, the cyber relative of the most famous painting in the world are gaining traction. Such trends speak to how technology and social media have increasingly blurred boundaries, rendering everything from learning to art something other. The below mentioned trends are evolving from the Indian subcontinent, which is on the rise ofIndia's digital revolution, resonating through the creative minds of individuals from the Indian subcontinent.
Conclusion: The State of Social Media in India
Unlock insightful tips and inspiration on personal growth, productivity, and well-being. Stay motivated and updated with the latest at My Life XP.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is trending on social media?
Though popular themes frequently include viral challenges, memes, breaking news, and social movements, trending topics on social media change every day. - What is the hottest social media right now?
TikTok is still the most popular social networking site because of its viral trends and short-form video content. - On social media, what kinds of material get viral?
The most likely content to go viral is relatable, funny, emotive, or connected to memes, popular challenges, or trending subjects.