**Policy Summary: Ministry of Communications Initiatives in the Telecom Sector**
As of July 23, 2025, the Ministry of Communications has undertaken several initiatives to bolster the telecom sector, focusing on innovation, domestic manufacturing, and enhanced connectivity.
The BharatNet project has made 214,325 Gram Panchayats (GPs) service-ready with broadband connectivity. To facilitate 5G rollout, access spectrum in the 700 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz bands has been assigned to Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) through auctions conducted in 2022 and 2024, allowing deployment of any International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) technology, including 5G.
The Postal Department has digitized Post Office Savings Bank services, transitioned Postal Life Insurance to an online system, established Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras, and collaborated with e-commerce entities to promote banking, insurance, and e-commerce in rural areas. Spectrum auctions are conducted transparently, with a Notice Inviting Application (NIA) detailing rules, timelines, and eligibility, followed by an online auction through a secure, Standardization Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) audited Electronic Auction System.
To promote innovation and domestic manufacturing, the ‘Digital Communications Innovation Square (DCIS)’ scheme has supported 126 projects led by startups and MSMEs with a total budget of INR 108 crore, fostering the development of advanced technologies, including indigenous 5G. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for telecom and networking products, notified on February 24, 2021, with an outlay of INR 12,195 crore, aims to boost domestic manufacturing. As of May 31, 2025, 42 companies (28 MSMEs and 14 non-MSMEs) have been approved as beneficiaries under the PLI scheme, collectively investing INR 4,305 crore, generating sales worth INR 85,391 crore, including exports of INR 16,414 crore, and creating employment for 28,067 individuals.
This information was provided by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Digital Communications Innovation Square DCIS: A scheme by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to support startups and MSMEs in the development of advanced technologies in the communications sector.
BharatNet project: A project to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in India.
International Mobile Telecommunications IMT: Spectrum bands including 700 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz bands assigned to Telecom Service Providers TSPs through spectrum auctions.
Postal Life Insurance: Insurance service by the Postal Department transitioned to a paperless and online system.
Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras: Initiative by the Postal Department for export centers.
Notice Inviting Application NIA: Publicly shared notice detailing rules, timelines, and eligibility for the spectrum auction process.
Production Linked Incentive PLI Scheme: Scheme for telecom and networking products to boost domestic manufacturing.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the information was provided in response to a question.
Ministry of Communications
Initiatives in Telecom Sector
Under the 'Digital Communications Innovation
Square (DCIS)' scheme, DoT has supported 126
projects led by start-ups and MSMEs, with a total
budget outlay of 108 crore
Posted On: 23 JUL 2025 5:21PM by PIB Delhi
BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram
Panchayats (GPs) in the country, so far 2,14,325 GPs have been made service ready.
To enable roll out of 5G services, access spectrum in various spectrum bands for International Mobile
Telecommunications (IMT) including 700 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz bands has been assigned to Telecom
Service Providers (TSPs) through spectrum auctions conducted in the year 2022 and 2024. The successful
bidders, who acquire spectrum through auctions, are permitted to deploy any IMT technology, including 5G.
The Postal Department has undertaken new initiatives such as the digitization of Post Office Savings Bank
services, the transition of Postal Life Insurance to a paperless and online system, the establishment of Dak
Ghar Niryat Kendras and collaboration with e-commerce entities in rural and urban areas to promote banking,
insurance, and e-commerce in rural regions.
The spectrum auction process is transparent and non-discriminatory, beginning with a publicly shared Notice
Inviting Application (NIA) detailing rules, timelines, and eligibility. The auction itself is conducted online
through a secure, Standardization Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) audited Electronic Auction
System.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has undertaken multiple initiatives to promote innovation and
domestic manufacturing in the communications sector. Under the 'Digital Communications Innovation Square
(DCIS)' scheme, DoT has supported 126 projects led by start-ups and MSMEs, with a total budget outlay of
₹108 crore, to foster the development of advanced technologies, including indigenous 5G.
Additionally, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for telecom and networking products, notified on
24.02.2021 and effective from April’21, aims to boost domestic manufacturing with an outlay of ₹12,195
crore. A total of 42 companies—28 MSMEs and 14 non-MSMEs—have been approved as beneficiaries under
st
the PLI scheme. As of 31 May 2025, PLI beneficiary companies have collectively invested INR 4,305
crores, generating sales worth INR 85,391 crores which includes exports of INR 16,414 Cr. This investment
has also resulted in employment for 28,067 individuals.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr.
Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
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Samrat / Allen
(Release ID: 2147405)