**Summary:**
The Ministry of Communications has undertaken several initiatives to improve internet connectivity in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and villages. Key initiatives include: the GenNext Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS) program, with an outlay of Rs. 490 Crore over five years, aiming to scale up approximately 1600 technology startups; the India Business Process Outsourcing Promotion Scheme (IBPS) and North East Business Process Outsourcing Promotion Scheme (NEBPS), which aims to establish 246 units in 104 small cities and towns to create employment opportunities and promote IT and IT-enabled services; and the establishment of 67 centers, with 59 located in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, under the Software Technology Parks of India initiative.
As of March 2025, India has 969.10 million internet subscribers, with 407.69 million residing in rural areas. Overall internet subscriptions have increased from 825.30 million in March 2021 to 969.10 million in March 2025. To further enhance internet connectivity in villages, the Government of India has launched the 4G Saturation Projects and Amended BharatNet Program to provide 4G mobile services in uncovered villages and high-speed broadband access across the country.
This information was provided by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on July 24, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar: Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development.
Amended BharatNet Program: Government program to provide high-speed broadband access across the country.
Ministry of Communications: The Indian government ministry responsible for communications and information technology.
GenNext Support for Innovative Startups GENESIS: An initiative to scale up technology startups.
India Business Process Outsourcing Promotion Scheme: A scheme to promote the Business Process Outsourcing industry in India.
North East Business Process Outsourcing Promotion Scheme: A scheme to promote BPO in the North Eastern region of India.
Software Technology Parks of India: An initiative to set up technology parks in India.
4G Saturation Projects: Government project to provide 4G mobile services in uncovered villages.
Ministry of Communications
Steps taken to improve Internet connectivity in
villages
Posted On: 24 JUL 2025 4:19PM by PIB Delhi
The details of key initiatives undertaken in tier-2 and tier-3 cities are as under:
Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS) to scale up about 1600 technology startups
(cid:108)
to discover, nurture and grow technology with an outlay of Rs. 490 Crore over period of five years;
India Business Process Outsourcing Promotion Scheme (IBPS) & North East Business Process
(cid:108)
Outsourcing Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) with an aim to create employment opportunities and
dispersal of IT and IT Enabled services by setting up 246 units in 104 small cities/ towns;
Setting up of 67 centres with 59 centres in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities under Software Technology
(cid:108)
Parks of India initiative.
As of March 2025, out of a total Internet Subscribers of 969.10 million in India, there are 407.69 million
Rural Internet Subscribers. The total internet subscribers in the country have increased from 825.30 million as
on March 2021 to 969.10 million in March 2025. To improve internet connectivity in the villages, the
Government of India has launched the 4G Saturation Projects and Amended BharatNet Program to provide
4G mobile services in uncovered villages and high-speed broadband access respectively across the country.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Dr.
Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
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Samrat/ Allen
(Release ID: 2147761)