New Delhi: The National Telecom Policy 2025 (NTP-25), which will define India’s next-phase digital and telecom roadmap, is currently under preparation, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar informed Parliament in a written reply. The Minister stated that NTP-25 will outline the strategic vision and intent for the telecom sector, guiding future decisions on authorisation, project sanctions, and implementation at state and district levels. The draft policy is expected to address crucial themes including Universal and Meaningful Connectivity, Domestic Manufacturing, Ease of Living, and Ease of Doing Business.
Connecting Rural and Remote India
Even as the policy is being finalised, the Government continues efforts to strengthen telecom infrastructure across the country—especially in rural, remote, and tribal regions through schemes funded under Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN).
Key initiatives include-
- Amended BharatNet Programme to accelerate fibre connectivity
- 4G saturation projects for uncovered villages
- Connectivity expansion in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas
In Maharashtra alone, 2,644 mobile towers have been planned to cover 3,156 villages, along with initiatives to connect all Gram Panchayats with fibre infrastructure.
Boosting Domestic Telecom Manufacturing
The Minister highlighted the Government’s continued push for indigenous manufacturing of telecom and networking equipment, supported by measures such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme. This is aimed at strengthening India’s local value-addition ecosystem and reducing import dependency.
Digital Economy Set for Major Expansion
The digital economy currently contributes 12–14% of India’s GDP, and is projected to grow to around 20% in the next decade, driven by rapid digital adoption, infrastructure expansion, industry investments, and favourable global economic trends. The Minister emphasised that NTP-25 will play a pivotal role in shaping this growth trajectory, ensuring India’s telecom and digital sectors remain engines of economic transformation in the years ahead.
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