**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Minister's response to questions regarding the National Telecom Policy 2025 (NTP-25), specifically addressing universal connectivity, next-generation technologies, manufacturing, and related allocations. It clarifies that NTP-25 is currently under draft, outlining its intended strategic direction. The document discusses the government's ongoing efforts to strengthen telecom connectivity, especially in remote areas.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Telecom Policy 2025 (NTP-25):**
* Currently in the drafting stage.
* Intended to set the intent and strategic direction for the telecom sector.
* Further actions planned based on the policy may include authorization and project sanctions at the State or district level.
* Expected to cover themes like Universal and Meaningful Connectivity, Domestic Manufacturing, Ease of Living, and Ease of Doing Business.
* **Ongoing Connectivity Efforts:**
* The Government continues to strengthen telecom connectivity, including in remote, rural, and tribal areas through schemes under Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN).
* Schemes include Amended BharatNet Program, 4G saturation of uncovered villages, and projects in Left Wing Extremism affected areas.
* In Maharashtra, 2,644 towers are planned to cover 3,156 villages and connect all GPs with fiber.
* **Domestic Manufacturing Incentives:**
* Government is promoting domestic manufacturing of telecom and networking equipment.
* Promotion through the Production Linked Incentive Scheme.
* Aims to enhance indigenous production and boost local value addition.
* **GDP Contribution:**
* The digital economy currently contributes approximately 12-14% of India's GDP.
* Expected to rise to around 20% in the next decade.
* The increase depends on macroeconomic factors, technology adoption, and investments.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of India (Ministry of Communications/Department of Telecommunications)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for drafting and implementing NTP-25, managing connectivity schemes, and promoting domestic manufacturing.
* **Action Required:** Finalize and implement NTP-25, continue existing connectivity projects, and manage the Production Linked Incentive Scheme.
**Telecom Sector Companies/Manufacturers**
* **Impact:** Influenced by NTP-25 direction, potential beneficiaries of domestic manufacturing incentives and project allocations.
* **Action Required:** Monitor NTP-25 development, explore opportunities under incentive schemes, and prepare for project opportunities.
**Citizens, Particularly in Rural and Tribal Areas**
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries of improved telecom connectivity and digital inclusion.
* **Action Required:** None mentioned directly.
**State and District Level Authorities**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing projects authorized under NTP-25.
* **Action Required:** Implement projects according to central government guidelines.
Key Entities Referenced
National Telecom Policy 2025 (NTP-25): A national policy under drafting stage to set the intent and strategic direction for the telecom sector in India. It addresses universal connectivity, next-gen technologies, and domestic manufacturing.
Ministry of Communications: The primary government ministry responsible for the National Telecom Policy 2025 (NTP-25).
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN): A fund that finances various schemes to strengthen telecom connectivity, including in remote, rural, and tribal areas.
Production Linked Incentive Scheme: A scheme promoting domestic manufacturing of telecom and networking equipment.
Maharashtra: A state mentioned specifically regarding the number of license applications, projects and spectrum allocations scheduled under NTP-25.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 625
ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025
NATIONAL TELECOM POLICY, 2025
625. DR. PRASHANT YADAORAO PADOLE:
ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has approved the National Telecom Policy 2025 (NTP-25) which
sets direction for universal connectivity, next-gen technologies (5G/6G, satellite, IoT) and
manufacturing of telecom equipment and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of licence applications, projects and spectrum allocations scheduled under NTP-
25 in Maharashtra, including in remote/tribal districts;
(c) whether any special allocation or scheme has been formulated to enhance digital connectivity
(4G/5G/public Wi-Fi) in tribal/remote areas to ensure inclusion and if, so, the details thereof;
(d) the steps taken/being taken to incentivise domestic manufacturing of telecom & satellite
equipment in backward districts to generate employment locally;
(e) the monitoring mechanism proposed to be put in place by the Government to track state-
wise rollout, quality of service, under-served habitations and fund-utilisation; and
(f) the timeline by which the Government expects Country's telecome/digital sector to
contribute at least 20 per cent of GDP within the next decade, as projected during the India Mobile
Congress 2025 (IMC)?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (e): The National Telecom Policy 2025 (NTP-25) is presently under drafting stage. The
NTP-25 is intended to set the intent, and strategic direction for the sector on the basis of which further
course of action is planned which can be issue of authorization, sanction of project, etc. at the State
or district level.
The draft NTP-25 is expected to cover broad policy themes such as Universal and Meaningful
Connectivity, Domestic Manufacturing, Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business, etc.
Notwithstanding the ongoing formulation of NTP-25, the Government continues to
strengthen telecom connectivity-including in remote, rural and tribal areas under various schemes
under Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) such as Amended BharatNet Program, 4G saturation of uncovered
villages, and projects in Left Wing Extremism affected areas etc. Under various DBN-funded
1schemes, in rural areas of Maharashtra 2,644 towers have been planned covering 3,156 villages and
to cover all GPs with fiber connectivity.
Further, the Government is promoting domestic manufacturing of telecom and networking
equipment, including through the Production Linked Incentive Scheme, to enhance indigenous
production and boost the local value-addition ecosystem.
(f): Currently the digital economy contributes about 12–14% of India’s GDP, and is expected to
rise to around 20% over the next decade, reflecting the increasing role of the telecom and digital
sectors in economic growth, depending upon the various macro-economic factors including global
economic trends, technology adoption cycles, private sector investments and infrastructure roll-out.
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