The +I effect is an electron-donating (or an electron-pushing) inductive effect by an atom or group of atoms relative to Hydrogen. It means that a +I group like methyl (-CH3) will push electrons away from itself more than the hydrogen atom would if it occupied the exact position in the molecule.
The push of electrons is represented with an arrow over the bond, (>) indicating the direction of the electron flow.

The +I effect of some of the alkyl group of atoms in the decreasing order to Hydrogen is:
-O‑> -COO-> R3C- > R2CH-, RCH2-> CH3-> D-> H-
Notice how the true electron-donating groups have a formal negative charge (-O‑ and -COO-). Even low electronegative atoms of Si and Mg are electron-donating, and last in order are the alkyl groups.
Alkyl groups are truly electron-donating and show a +I effect when attached to an unsaturated (alkene, alkyne, aryl) or trivalent Carbon (in carbocations).
If alkyl groups are part of unsaturated systems, the order of +I effect is-
Tertiary> secondary> primary > CH3
(CH3)3C->(CH3)2CH-> CH3CH2-> CH3->
t-Butyl Isopropyl Ethyl Methyl
This is an excerpt from CurlyArrows' Introduction to Organic Chemistry Premium Tutorials, Chapter Electronic Displacements in a Covalent Bond.
Related Reading-
Inductive effect (Free)
Electronegativity (Free)
Difference between primary, secondary, tertiary Carbon (Free)
