**Executive Summary**
The document is a response from the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding India's digital infrastructure, data protection, and cybersecurity, to be answered on February 11th, 2026. It covers the current status of digital infrastructure, BharatNet project progress, data protection measures for cloud services, and cybersecurity initiatives. There are no specific deadlines or explicit action items outlined.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Digital Infrastructure Status:**
* Significant expansion in telecommunication and internet services.
* As of 31.12.2025, total Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) for 4G and 5G technologies across all States/UTs of India is 20,40,850 and 5,18,854 respectively.
* 6,31,814 out of 6,44,131 villages covered with 4G connectivity (as of 31.12.2025).
* Over one billion broadband subscribers in the country (as of 30.11.2025).
* **Cloud Services:**
* Government provides cloud services as part of Digital Government under Meghraj.
* Data centre ecosystem is largely developed, owned, and operated by the private and corporate sector, estimated at 1,280 MW.
* **BharatNet Project:**
* 2,14,904 Gram Panchayats (GPs) made service ready under BharatNet as of 31.12.2025.
* Amended BharatNet Project aims to provide connectivity to all GPs, including upgrading the existing network.
* To include non-GP villages on demand and broadband services such as Wi-Fi Hotspots and FTTH.
* **Data Protection and Security:**
* Stringent security requirements for empaneled cloud service providers handling government data, aligning with international standards.
* Covering critical aspects: risk assessment, security controls, service delivery, incident management, intrusion detection, data privacy, log retention, data encryption, access control.
* **Cybersecurity Initiatives:**
* Government has taken various initiatives to strengthen cyber security and prevent cyber-attacks.
* CERT-In is designated as the national agency for responding to cyber security incidents.
* Establishment of National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC), conducting mock drills for assessment of preparedness and training.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of India (Ministry of Communications and Rural Development)**
* **Impact:** Accountable for addressing questions on digital infrastructure, BharatNet progress, data protection, and cybersecurity, and for implementing and overseeing relevant initiatives.
* **Action Required:** Continue monitoring and improving digital infrastructure, BharatNet project, data protection standards, and cybersecurity measures.
**Citizens of India**
* **Impact:** Directly affected by the expansion of digital infrastructure, including internet access, broadband services, and cybersecurity measures, particularly in rural areas.
* **Action Required:** No direct action specified; expected to benefit from improved digital services and security.
**Cloud Service Providers**
* **Impact:** Required to comply with stringent security requirements and international standards when handling government data.
* **Action Required:** Ensure compliance with data protection and security standards to remain empaneled by the government.
**Gram Panchayats**
* **Impact:** Responsible for collaborating in implementation of BharatNet and utilisation of services.
* **Action Required:** To work with relevant stakeholders to ensure reliable and affordable internet access for its citizens.
Key Entities Referenced
BharatNet project: A project to provide optical fibre connectivity to all Gram Panchayats in India.
Digital India: A Government of India initiative to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In): Designated as the national agency for responding to cyber security incidents.
National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC): An agency established for responding to cyber security incidents.
Meghraj: Initiative to accelerate delivery of cloud-based e-services
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1999
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11TH FEBRUARY, 2026
COMPLIANCE OF DATA PROTECTION AND PRIVACY STANDARDS BY DATA
CENTRES AND CLOUD SERVICES
1999. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has assessed the current status of India’s digital infrastructure
including broadband connectivity, data centres, cloud facilities and digital payment networks;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the percentage of rural and urban areas covered under
reliable high-speed internet and optical fibre connectivity;
(c) whether large parts of rural and tribal India still lack reliable internet connectivity and basic
digital infrastructure despite the Government’s claims under Digital India;
(d) whether BharatNet project has met its targets for optical fibre connectivity to all Gram
Panchayats and the steps being taken by the Government to address delays;
(e) the measures being taken by the Government to ensure that data centres and cloud services
located in the country comply with data protection and privacy standards; and
(f) the steps taken by the Government to strengthen cybersecurity and digital resilience in public
infrastructure in view of the recent rise in cyberattacks and digital service outrages?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (c) India’s digital infrastructure has grown rapidly driven by significant expansion in
telecommunication and internet services. As of 31.12.2025, the total number of Base Transceiver
Stations (BTSs) for 4G and 5G technologies across all States/UTs of India is 20,40,850 and 5,18,854
respectively. As of 31.12.2025, 6,31,814 villages out of 6,44,131 villages in the country (as per data
of Registrar General of India), are covered with 4G mobile connectivity. As of 30.11.2025, the total
broadband subscribers in the country are more than one billion.
Further, Government is providing cloud services as part of Digital Government under
Meghraj to accelerate delivery of cloud-based e-services. The data centre ecosystem in India is
largely developed, owned, and operated by the private and corporate sector which is estimated at
1,280 MW as per industry reports.
(d) As of 31.12.2025 2,14,904 GPs have been made service ready under BharatNet project in the
country. Further, Amended BharatNet Project aims to provide connectivity to all Gram Panchayat
(GPs) in the country including upgrading existing network to ring topology and connectivity to about
13.8 Lakh non-GP villages on demand basis as well as utilization through provisioning of broadband
services such as Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections etc.
(e) Government has prescribed stringent security requirement for the empaneled cloud service
providers who are handling government data including compliance with international security and
privacy standards along with other security requirements to ensure cloud security, service
management, and data protection. These compliances and standards cover critical security aspects
such as risk assessment, security controls, service delivery, incident management, intrusion
detection, data privacy, log retention, data encryption, access control, etc.
(f) The Government has taken various initiatives to strengthen cyber security and prevent cyber-
attacks which inter-alia, includes designation of the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team
(CERT-In) as the national agency for responding to cyber security incidents and establishment of
National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC), conducting mock drills for assessment of preparedness
as well as training.
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