Lok Sabha Question No. 196 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-21
Subject: Implementation of National Knowledge Network (NKN)
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Daggumalla Prasada Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 196 ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025

## Implementation of National Knowledge Network (NKN)

## 196. SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is implementing National Knowledge Network (NKN) component of National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT);
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  funds  allocated  and  utilized  under  this  component,  since  the  scheme's inception, year-wise;
- (c) the details regarding list of implementing agencies of the scheme especially in Andhra Pradesh; (d) the details of funds released by the Government to these agencies and utilized thereof, especially in Andhra Pradesh, since the scheme's inception, year-wise;
- (e) the details and total number of Colleges/Universities provided with internet connectivity under NKN in Andhra Pradesh, year-wise and district-wise; and
- (f)  the  details  and  number  of  computers  provided  to  these  Colleges/Universities  under  NKN,  since  the scheme's inception, year-wise and State-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to (f) The National Knowledge Network (NKN), initiated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is a secure and high-speed digital backbone that empowers research, educational institutions and government organizations across India to share data and resources. The project has been extended till 31 st  March 2026 with a financial outlay of Rs. 7188 crores.

Under the connectivity component of National Mission on Education through Information and Communication  Technology  (NMEICT)  Scheme  of  Ministry  of  Education  (MoE),  funds  are  released  to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) to provide 1 Gbps bandwidth NKN connectivity to various Higher Education Institutions across India including in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

As on date, a total of 1,817 links to Institutions are operational under NKN, including 371 links provided through  NMEICT  Scheme  of  the  Ministry  of  Education,  Government  of  India.  In  Andhra  Pradesh,  56 institutions are provided high-speed internet connectivity through NKN including 17 through the NMEICT Scheme. The list of institutions with NKN connectivity under NMEICT Scheme in Andhra Pradesh is at Annexure I.

As on date, the fund released under the NMEICT scheme phase-III (2021-2026) for NKN connectivity is Rs. 170.34 Crores.

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ANNEXURE  REFERRED  IN  THE  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  TO  (f)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 196 ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025 ASKED BY SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT REGARDING 'IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK (NKN)'

| List of institutions with NKN connectivity under NMEICT Scheme in Andhra Pradesh   | List of institutions with NKN connectivity under NMEICT Scheme in Andhra Pradesh                         |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| S. No.                                                                             | Name of the University/ Institute                                                                        |
| 1                                                                                  | Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Kakinada                                               |
| 2                                                                                  | Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur                                                                |
| 3                                                                                  | Dravidian University, Kuppam                                                                             |
| 4                                                                                  | Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Anantpur                                               |
| 5                                                                                  | Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar                                                            |
| 6                                                                                  | Krishna University, Machllipatnam                                                                        |
| 7                                                                                  | Vikrama Simhapuri University, Nellore                                                                    |
| 8                                                                                  | Andhra University, Visakhapatnam                                                                         |
| 9                                                                                  | Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa                                                                           |
| 10                                                                                 | Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati                                                          |
| 11                                                                                 | Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati                                                                    |
| 12                                                                                 | Dr.N.T.R University of Health Sciences (NTRUHS) (Formerly: Andhra Pradesh University of Health Sciences) |
| 13                                                                                 | Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Tirupati                                                                  |
| 14                                                                                 | Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Vidyagiri                                                   |
| 15                                                                                 | Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Guntur                                                           |
| 16                                                                                 | Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology and Research, Guntur                                         |
| 17                                                                                 | School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada                                                          |

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