On December 3, 2025, the Lok Sabha addressed Unstarred Question No. 559 regarding Wi-Fi connectivity in Gram Panchayats. The question was directed to the Minister of Communications.
The questions asked whether the government has accelerated the program to provide Wi-Fi connectivity across the country, the details thereof, the State/UT-wise number of Gram Panchayats currently having Wi-Fi connectivity, and the financial outlay allocated for Gram Panchayat internet services in the current year.
The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development (Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar) answered that as of November 17, 2025, the total number of service-ready Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the Country is 2,14,864. State-wise details are available on the Digital Bharat Nidhi website (https://usof.gov.in/en/home). Wi-Fi service is supported by equipment installed at many GPs. In the financial year 2025-26, Rs. 28,400 Crores have been allocated for DBN's Schemes to provide internet/telecom services in rural and remote areas of the country, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
Key Entities Referenced
Gram Panchayats: Village level local self-government institutions in India; the policy focuses on providing Wi-Fi connectivity to them.
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN): A scheme that is providing internet/telecom services in rural areas
Ministry of Communications: The primary government body responsible for providing Wi-Fi connectivity in Gram Panchayats.
Maharashtra: One of the states to be focused on as part of the government's connectivity plans.
Madhya Pradesh: One of the states to be focused on as part of the government's connectivity plans.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 559
ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025
WI-FI CONNECTIVITY IN GRAM PANCHAYATS
†559. DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE:
SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM:
SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:
SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE:
SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has accelerated the programme to provide Wi-Fi connectivity in
Gram Panchayats in various States across the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the State/UT-wise number of Gram Panchayats currently having Wi-Fi connectivity
particularly in States of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli;
(d) the financial outlay allocated for Gram Panchayat internet services in the current year; and
(e) if so, the details thereof including States of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and UT of Dadra
and Nagar Haveli?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (c) Total number of service ready Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the Country is 2,14,864 as
on 17.11.2025. The state-wise details are available on Digital Bharat Nidhi website
(https://usof.gov.in/en/home). Wi-Fi service is supported by equipment installed at many GPs.
(d) & (e) In current financial year 2025-26, Rs. 28,400 Crores have been allocated for DBN's
Schemes to provide internet/telecom services in rural and remote areas of the country including
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
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