India has introduced the Telecommunications (Administration of Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024, under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. These newly published rules aim to broaden the scope of telecommunications services across underserved regions and communities, marking a significant shift in India’s approach to enhancing digital connectivity.
The Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) replaces the earlier Universal Service Obligation Fund established under the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885. The DBN is now positioned to address India’s evolving technological landscape, focusing on supporting projects and schemes aimed at improving telecommunication services in remote areas and for marginalized groups, including women, persons with disabilities, and economically weaker sections of society.
Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), praised the new rules as a testament to the government’s commitment to providing equitable access to telecom services. “These rules are a reflection of our resolve to strengthen India’s mission of becoming Viksit Bharat @ 2047,” Scindia stated.
The rules outline the roles and responsibilities of the DBN administrator, who will oversee the fund’s implementation. Projects eligible for funding under the DBN must meet specific criteria, such as enhancing telecommunication services, improving access to next-generation technologies, and promoting innovation and research within the telecom sector.
Key objectives of the DBN include fostering indigenous technology development, encouraging telecom start-ups, and promoting sustainable and green technologies. The rules also emphasize the importance of making funded telecommunication networks accessible on an open and non-discriminatory basis.
The introduction of the DBN is a part of the broader Telecommunications Act, 2023, which was passed by the Parliament in December last year and came into effect in June 2024. The Act, guided by the principles of inclusion, security, growth, and responsiveness, aims to realize the vision of a developed India by 2047.
