**Policy Summary: Expansion of Telecom and Digital Connectivity in India**
On August 20, 2025, the Ministry of Communications addressed Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4470 regarding the expansion of telecom and digital connectivity in India, particularly in remote, hilly, underserved rural, and economically weaker regions.
The government is actively implementing initiatives under the Digital Bharat Nidhi, including the 4G Saturation Project, to extend internet facilities through the installation of 4G mobile towers in rural and remote areas. The BharatNet project is also underway in a phased manner to provide high-speed broadband connectivity, including WiFi Hotspots and Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections, to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages based on demand.
To promote digital literacy, the government launched schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) under the Digital India Programme. This initiative has led to the training of 63.9 million individuals across the country. Furthermore, the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) has certified 1,412,476 candidates in various digital literacy courses over the past five years.
The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, provided the response to the parliamentary question.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Communications: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for communications and telecommunications.
Department of Telecommunications: A department under the Ministry of Communications responsible for telecom policy, licensing and regulation in India.
Digital Bharat Nidhi: A fund used by the Government of India for expansion of internet facilities.
4G saturation project: A project to install 4G mobile towers in rural and remote areas of India.
BharatNet project: A project to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats and villages in India.
Gram Panchayats: Village level local self-government institutions in India.
Digital India Programme: An initiative by the Government of India to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan PMGDISHA: A scheme launched under the Digital India Programme to achieve digital literacy in rural India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4470
ANSWERED ON 20TH AUGUST, 2025
EXPANSION OF TELECOM AND DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY
4470. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether there are targeted initiatives under implementation to bring high-speed internet
connectivity to the last mile in remote and hilly regions;
(b) the manner in which the Government ensuring affordable access to mobile and broadband
services in underserved rural and economically weaker areas; and
(c) the details of the progress of national digital literacy campaigns and the manner in which
they are being adapted for low-income and low-connectivity districts?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) & (b) Government is implementing various schemes under Digital Bharat Nidhi for
expansion of internet facilities through installation of 4G mobile towers in the rural and remote areas
of the country under 4G saturation project. In addition, BharatNet project is being implemented in a
phased manner to provide high-speed broadband connectivity such as Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the
Home (FTTH) connections etc. to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages on demand basis.
(c) 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. Further, a total of 14,12,476 candidates have been certified in
last 5 years in various digital literacy courses provided by National Institute of Electronics &
Information Technology (NIELIT).
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