Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Education addressed a question regarding the implementation of the National Knowledge Network (NKN), a component of the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT). The NKN, managed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is a high-speed digital network for sharing data and resources. The project is extended until March 31, 2026.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **National Knowledge Network (NKN):**
* NKN is a secure, high-speed digital network facilitating data and resource sharing among research, educational institutions, and government organizations.
* The project has been extended until March 31, 2026, with a financial outlay of Rs. 7188 crores.
* **Implementation and Funding:**
* Under the NMEICT scheme, funds are released to BSNL and MTNL to provide 1 Gbps bandwidth NKN connectivity.
* As of the response date, Rs. 170.34 Crores has been released under the NMEICT scheme phase-III (2021-2026) for NKN connectivity.
* **Connectivity Status:**
* A total of 1,817 links to institutions are operational under NKN, including 371 links provided through NMEICT.
* In Andhra Pradesh, 56 institutions have high-speed internet connectivity through NKN, including 17 through the NMEICT Scheme.
* **Institutions in Andhra Pradesh with NKN Connectivity under NMEICT:**
* Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Kakinada
* Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur
* Dravidian University, Kuppam
* Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Anantpur
* Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar
* Krishna University, Machllipatnam
* Vikrama Simhapuri University, Nellore
* Andhra University, Visakhapatnam
* Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa
* Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati
* Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati
* Dr.N.T.R University of Health Sciences NTRUHS
* Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Tirupati
* Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Vidyagiri
* Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Guntur
* Vignans Foundation for Science, Technology and Research, Guntur
* School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada
Impact Analysis:
**Research and Educational Institutions:**
* *Impact:* Enhanced access to data and resources, improved collaboration capabilities, and faster internet connectivity (1 Gbps) through NKN.
* *Action Required:* Utilize the NKN connectivity to improve research and educational outcomes.
**Government Organizations:**
* *Impact:* Improved data sharing and resource access.
* *Action Required:* Leverage NKN for efficient data sharing and collaboration.
**BSNL and MTNL:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for providing and maintaining 1 Gbps bandwidth NKN connectivity to Higher Education Institutions.
* *Action Required:* Ensure reliable and high-speed connectivity to the institutions.
**Ministry of Education:**
* *Impact:* Oversees the implementation of the NMEICT scheme and allocation of funds for NKN connectivity.
* *Action Required:* Continue to monitor and support the NKN project to ensure its success.
Key Entities Referenced
National Knowledge Network NKN: A secure and high-speed digital backbone that empowers research, educational institutions, and government organizations across India to share data and resources.
National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology NMEICT: A scheme of the Ministry of Education to provide funds for NKN connectivity to Higher Education Institutions.
Ministry of Education MoE: The government ministry responsible for education and implementation of the NMEICT scheme.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India where the implementation of NKN and NMEICT is being assessed.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY: The ministry that initiated the National Knowledge Network.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited BSNL: One of the implementing agencies that provides 1 Gbps bandwidth NKN connectivity to Higher Education Institutions.
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited MTNL: One of the implementing agencies that provides 1 Gbps bandwidth NKN connectivity to Higher Education Institutions.
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University JNTU, Kakinada: An institution in Andhra Pradesh provided with NKN connectivity under NMEICT Scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 196
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
Implementation of National Knowledge Network (NKN)
196. SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is implementing National Knowledge Network (NKN) component of National
Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT);
(b) if so, the details of the funds allocated and utilized under this component, since the scheme's
inception, year-wise;
(c) the details regarding list of implementing agencies of the scheme especially in Andhra Pradesh; (d) the
details of funds released by the Government to these agencies and utilized thereof, especially in Andhra
Pradesh, since the scheme's inception, year-wise;
(e) the details and total number of Colleges/Universities provided with internet connectivity under NKN in
Andhra Pradesh, year-wise and district-wise; and
(f) the details and number of computers provided to these Colleges/Universities under NKN, since the
scheme's inception, year-wise and State-wise?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (f) The National Knowledge Network (NKN), initiated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology (MeitY), is a secure and high-speed digital backbone that empowers research, educational
institutions and government organizations across India to share data and resources. The project has been
extended till 31st March 2026 with a financial outlay of Rs. 7188 crores.
Under the connectivity component of National Mission on Education through Information and
Communication Technology (NMEICT) Scheme of Ministry of Education (MoE), funds are released to
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) to provide 1
Gbps bandwidth NKN connectivity to various Higher Education Institutions across India including in the
state of Andhra Pradesh.
As on date, a total of 1,817 links to Institutions are operational under NKN, including 371 links provided
through NMEICT Scheme of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. In Andhra Pradesh, 56
institutions are provided high-speed internet connectivity through NKN including 17 through the NMEICT
Scheme. The list of institutions with NKN connectivity under NMEICT Scheme in Andhra Pradesh is at
Annexure I.
As on date, the fund released under the NMEICT scheme phase-III (2021-2026) for NKN connectivity is
Rs. 170.34 Crores.
*****Annexure I
ANNEXURE REFERRED IN THE REPLY TO PART (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO. 196 ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025 ASKED BY SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO,
HON’BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT REGARDING “IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL
KNOWLEDGE NETWORK (NKN)”
List of institutions with NKN connectivity under NMEICT Scheme in Andhra Pradesh
S. No. Name of the University/ Institute
1 Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Kakinada
2 Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur
3 Dravidian University, Kuppam
4 Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Anantpur
5 Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar
6 Krishna University, Machllipatnam
7 Vikrama Simhapuri University, Nellore
8 Andhra University, Visakhapatnam
9 Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa
10 Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati
11 Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati
Dr.N.T.R University of Health Sciences (NTRUHS) (Formerly: Andhra Pradesh University
12
of Health Sciences)
13 Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Tirupati
14 Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Vidyagiri
15 Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Guntur
16 Vignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology and Research, Guntur
17 School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada
*****