**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the progress of the BharatNet program and other initiatives aimed at improving internet connectivity in rural and remote areas. It outlines the amended BharatNet program implementation, including upgrading the network architecture. Key deadlines include the target date of 31.12.2025 for covering 39,799 rural and remotely uncovered villages.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **BharatNet Program:**
* Implemented to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in a phased manner.
* Phase-I and Phase-II cover 2,22,341 GPs, with 2,14,904 GPs being Service Ready.
* Government approved the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) on 04.08.2023.
* Optical Fiber Connectivity to be provided to ~2.64 lakh GPs and ~3.8 lakh non-GP villages on demand basis.
* **4G Mobile Connectivity:**
* Planned in 39,799 rural and remotely uncovered villages across the country.
* As on 31.12.2025, 33,044 villages are covered.
* **Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) - Revised Implementation Model:**
* Features to upgrade network architecture and improve reliability.
* Creation and Upgradation of BharatNet network in ring architecture.
* Operations & Maintenance based on Service Level Agreement (SLA).
* Single Project Implementation Agency (PIA) for construction and O&M.
* Dedicated Network Operation Centre.
* Remote Fiber Monitoring System.
* **Digital India Programme:**
* Vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society.
* Schemes like Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) launched to achieve digital literacy.
* Various digital literacy courses provided through NIELIT.
* **Telecom - Cyber Security Incident Response Team (T-CSIRT):**
* Sectoral incident response and cybersecurity coordination function.
* Enables timely detection, analysis, coordination, and mitigation of cyber incidents.
* **Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO):**
* Maintains the Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework (OOMF) for digital connectivity programs.
* Includes indicators for DBN funded projects.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Gram Panchayats (GPs)
* **Impact:** Improved broadband connectivity, leading to enhanced digital access and opportunities.
* **Action Required:** Prepare for the deployment of Optical Fiber Connectivity and utilize the available resources for digital empowerment.
**Stakeholder:** Rural and Remote Communities
* **Impact:** Access to 4G mobile connectivity, bridging the digital divide and enabling digital inclusion.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the available digital resources and training programs for digital literacy.
**Stakeholder:** Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and ISPs
* **Impact:** Increased responsibilities in securing telecom networks and infrastructure.
* **Action Required:** Coordinate with T-CSIRT for incident response and mitigation of cyber incidents.
**Stakeholder:** Digital India Programme Stakeholders
* **Impact:** Contribute to achieving digital literacy and a knowledge-based economy.
* **Action Required:** Support and implement digital literacy programs like PMGDISHA.
Key Entities Referenced
BharatNet: A program implemented to provide broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats and non-GP villages.
Digital India: A program aiming to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge-based economy.
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN): A fund used to provide 4G mobile connectivity to rural and remotely uncovered villages.
Gram Panchayats (GPs): Village-level governance units in India, targeted for broadband connectivity under BharatNet.
Uttar Pradesh: A state mentioned for its specific inclusion in the BharatNet program.
Ministry of Communications
Internet Connectivity in Rural and Remote Areas
प्रव तथ: 29 JAN 2026 6:27PM 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 BharatNet is being implemented
in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs). The total number of
GPs undertaken under BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II are 2,22,341 GPs, out of which 2,14,904 are
Service Ready which includes 46,746 GPs of Uttar Pradesh. Further, Government has approved the
Amended BharatNet Program on 04.08.2023 through which Optical Fiber Connectivity is to be provided
to ~2.64 lakh GPs of the country and ~3.8 lakh non-GP villages of the country on demand basis which
includes all GPs and 44,530 non-GP villages of Uttar Pradesh.
4G mobile connectivity has been planned in 39,799 rural and remotely uncovered villages across country
including 1,359 villages of Uttar Pradesh through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). As on 31.12.2025, out of
planned villages, 33,044 villages are covered including 1,199 villages of Uttar Pradesh.
In Amended BharatNet Program (ABP), a revised implementation model has been worked out with the
following features to upgrade the network architecture and improve reliability of the network:
(i) Creation and Upgradation of BharatNet network in ring architecture
(ii) Operations & Maintenance of the entire network based on Service Level Agreement (SLA)
(iii) Single Project Implementation Agency (PIA) for construction and O&M of the network in
each Package
(iv) Dedicated Network Operation Centre
(v) Remote Fiber Monitoring System
Government has launched the Digital India programme with the vision of transforming India into a
digitally empowered society and a knowledge-based economy, by ensuring digital access, digital
inclusion, digital empowerment and bridging the digital divide. The details are available on the Digital
India website (https://www.digitalindia.gov.in). Schemes like Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta
Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) were launched under the Digital India Programme to achieve digital literacy
leading to training of 6.39 crore individuals across the country. Various digital literacy courses are also
being provided through National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT).
Telecom – Cyber Security Incident Response Team (T-CSIRT) is the sectoral incident response and cyber-
security coordination function for the telecom communications ecosystem. Its core purpose is to enable
timely detection, analysis, coordination and mitigation of cyber incidents and vulnerabilities impacting
telecom networks, telecom service providers (TSPs), ISPs and associated critical telecom infrastructure.
Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), which is an attached office of NITI Aayog
maintains the Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework (OOMF) which includes indicators for digital
connectivity programs including DBN funded projects. The details are available on the DMEO website(https://dmeo.gov.in/output-outcome-framework?ministry=55&tid_1=223).
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MI/ARJ
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2220339) आगंतुक पटल : 131