Parliament Question: Vidya Mitram Scheme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1806 ANSWERED ON 29TH JULY, 2026 VIDYA MITRAM SCHEME 1806. SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT: Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) the details of current implementation status of BSNL’s 'Vidya Mitram Scheme' aimed at digital education for financially weaker and rural students; (b) whether the Government has taken note of the logistical and financial challenges in providing Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections directly to poor students residing in chawls, shanties remote villages; (c) whether there is any proposal to actively provide free or subsidized FTTH connections to all Municipal Corporation (e.g., MCGM) and Zila Parishad schools to ensure equitable digital access for intelligent, underprivileged students; and (d) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR) (a) & (b) BSNL has implemented ‘Vidya Mitram Scheme’ on PAN-India basis from 31.10.2024 for benevolent individuals/group of individuals who want to sponsor bundled FTTH connections to underprivileged and exceptional students as a motivation and as a social responsibility. The installation of connections is done at the address of underprivileged and exceptional students as provided by the sponsor. (c) & (d) Under Amended BharatNet Program, Government has made a provision for rural FTTH connections across all States/UTs with priority to cover Government Institutions including schools, Primary Health Centers, Anganwadis and Panchayat offices. ***** 1