**Executive Summary**
The document outlines government initiatives for promoting digital inclusion in rural and remote areas, including expansion of broadband and mobile connectivity, last-mile internet access, affordability of services, and digital literacy programmes. Key projects include BharatNet, submarine optical fibre cable projects, and Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA). The government aims to position India as a global leader in 6G technology by 2030.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **BharatNet Project:**
* Implemented in phases to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages.
* Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) approved on 04.08.2023 for upgrading existing network, creating new networks, and providing 4G saturation and mobile services.
* State/UT-wise details of GPs connected are available on DBN website.
* **Submarine Optical Fibre Cable Projects:**
* Commissioning between Chennai and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (2312 km).
* Commissioning between Mainland (Kochi) and Lakshadweep Islands (1869 km).
* **Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA):**
* Implemented under the supervision of MeitY in collaboration with States/UTs.
* Aims to promote digital literacy in rural areas.
* **6G Vision:**
* Bharat 6G Vision Document released in March 2023.
* Objectives include designing, developing, and deploying 6G network technologies.
* Goal is to position India as a global leader in 6G technology by 2030.
* **Cyber Security Measures:**
* Nationwide integrated and coordinated system to deal with cyber threats.
* Implemented legal and technical measures in the Telecommunications Act 2023, the Information Technology Act 2000, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023.
* Mandates data breach reporting, data protection, penalties, and punishment.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Citizens in Rural and Remote Areas**
* **Impact:**
* Improved access to broadband and mobile connectivity.
* Enhanced digital literacy skills.
* Better protection against cyber threats and data breaches.
* **Action Required:**
* Participate in digital literacy programmes.
* Utilize available broadband and mobile services.
* Adhere to data protection regulations.
**Stakeholder: State Governments/Union Territories**
* **Impact:**
* Collaboration with MeitY in implementing PMGDISHA.
* Potential impact on implementation of BharatNet projects in their regions.
* **Action Required:**
* Actively collaborate with MeitY for PMGDISHA.
* Coordinate with the central government for BharatNet implementation.
**Stakeholder: Telecom Companies**
* **Impact:**
* Opportunities to expand broadband and mobile services in rural areas.
* Compliance with new cyber security and data protection regulations.
* **Action Required:**
* Participate in BharatNet project initiatives.
* Comply with the Telecommunications Act 2023, IT Act 2000, DPDP Act 2023, and BNS 2023.
Key Entities Referenced
BharatNet project: A project to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages in India, including the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP).
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA): A scheme implemented under the supervision of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) to promote digital literacy in rural areas.
Telecommunications Act 2023: One of the laws used by the Government to deal with cyber threats and related offences.
Information Technology Act, (IT Act) 2000: One of the laws used by the Government to deal with cyber threats and related offences.
Ministry of Communications: The ministry under whose purview the digital inclusion projects are being implemented.
Ministry of Communications
Digital Inclusion of Rural and Remote Areas
प्रव तथ: 29 JAN 2026 6:28PM by PIB Delhi
Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, in a
written reply to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha today, said that for promoting rural digital
inclusion, including expansion of broadband and mobile connectivity, last-mile internet access,
affordability of services, and digital literacy programmes in rural and remote areas, a number of steps &
projects have been taken up by the Government. Some of the projects have already been completed and
many are under implementation. Details of the major projects & steps, funded by the Government, are as
follows:
i. BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to
all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages in the country. Further, Amended BharatNet Program
(ABP), approved by the Government on 04.08.2023, is under implementation for up-gradation of
existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, creation of network in balance GPs and
connectivity to remaining non-GP villages on demand basis from their respective GPs. Also, 4G
Saturation and other mobile projects are under implementation for providing mobile services in
uncovered villages in remote and difficult areas of the country. The State/UT-wise details of GPs
connected under BharatNet Project is available on DBN website (https://usof.gov.in/en/home).
ii. Commissioning of submarine optical fibre cable projects between Chennai and Andaman & Nicobar
Islands (2312 Km) and between Mainland (Kochi) and Lakshadweep Islands (1869 km).
iii. Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) has been implemented under the
supervision of Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) in active collaboration with States/UTs to
promote digital literacy in rural areas.
Government has released Bharat 6G Vision Document in March 2023 with the objectives to design,
develop and deploy 6G network technologies that provide ubiquitous intelligent and secure connectivity
for high quality living experience for the world to position India as a global leader in 6G technology by
2030.
The Government has institutionalized a nationwide integrated and coordinated system to deal with cyber
threats and related offences and has made sufficient legal and technical measures in the
Telecommunications Act 2023, the Information Technology Act, (IT Act) 2000, Digital Personal Data
Protection (DPDP) Act 2023, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 for citizens of the country,
mandating data breach reporting, data protection, penalties, punishment etc.
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MI/ARJ
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