Parliament Question: Digital Communication Innovation Square (DCIS)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1832 ANSWERED ON 29TH JULY, 2026 DIGITAL COMMUNICATION INNOVATION SQUARE (DCIS) 1832. PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD: Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has reviewed the implementation of the Digital Communication Innovation Square (DCIS) initiative in Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof; (b) the number of start-ups, innovators, incubators and academic institutions in Mumbai and other districts of Maharashtra supported under the Scheme through TCOE India during the last three years and the current year along with the details of financial assistance provided; (c) whether the Government has assessed the impact of the initiative on innovation, entrepreneurship and employment generation in the telecommunications sector in Mumbai and Maharashtra, and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether any proposals from Mumbai-based start-ups or incubators are for consideration for the Scheme and if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps taken to strengthen the DCIS ecosystem and encourage greater participation of start- ups from Mumbai as well as Tier-II and Tier-III cities of Maharashtra? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR) (a) to (e) Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched the Digital Communication Innovation Square (DCIS) Scheme in FY 2021–22 under the Champion Services Sector Scheme (CSSS) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Under the DCIS Scheme, 126 projects were supported with a total outlay of ₹105.875 crores. The beneficiaries of the scheme were from across the country including the state of Maharashtra. The scheme was implemented in three phases, DCIS (2021-22), DCIS (2022-23) and DCIS (2023-24). The Scheme (CSSS) concluded on 31.07.2024. A total of seven startups/MSMEs from Mumbai and other districts of Maharashtra were supported under the DCIS Scheme. ***** 1