Lok Sabha Question No. 2848 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Digital Infrastructure in Rural Areas
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Dr. Mohammad Jawed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2848

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 17.12.2025

## DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN RURAL AREAS

## 2848.    DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has undertaken any new initiatives to strengthen digital infrastructure in rural and remote districts across the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  the  details  of  ongoing  and  proposed  projects  for  expanding  broadband  connectivity,  Common Service Centres (CSCs), and digital services in Bihar, especially in border districts like Kishanganj; and (c) the steps taken by the Government to ensure reliable internet access, digital literacy and secure digital transactions for rural citizens?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (c): The Government of India launched the Digital India Programme in 2015 to use digital technology to improve citizens' lives, grow the digital economy, and create jobs and investment.

Through focused interventions, the Government has significantly expanded digital connectivity and service delivery in rural, remote and border districts, thereby bridging the urban-rural digital divide.

## Strengthening digital infrastructure and connectivity

BharatNet : Broadband connectivity is being provided to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages in  a  phased  manner.  As  on  30  November  2025,  2,14,904  GPs  have  been  made  service-ready, including 8,340 GPs in Bihar. All GPs in Bihar are planned to be covered under BharatNet.

In  Kishanganj  District,  all  771  villages  are  covered  with  4G  mobile  services.  Further,  as  on 30.11.2025, a total of 420 5G BTSs have been installed.

Amended  BharatNet  Programme  (ABP)  ensures  the  upgradation  of  BharatNet  Phase-I  &  II networks, creation of infrastructure in  remaining GPs, and on-demand connectivity to non-GP villages.

This programme provides for optical fibre-based broadband access to 2.64 lakh Gram Panchayats across the country in ring topology, including those in Kishanganj District, Bihar.

Mobile Connectivity: As on 30 November 2025, 23,280 mobile towers have been commissioned nationwide,  including  386  towers  in  Bihar,  under  the  4G  Saturation  Project  and  other  mobile initiatives.

Under  the  4G  Saturation  Scheme,  99  new  sites  covering  148  villages  and  upgradation  of  59 existing 2G sites to 4G have been approved in Bihar.

Submarine Optical Fibre Cable (SOFC): The project connects the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (commissioned in 2020) and the Lakshadweep Islands (commissioned in 2024) with the mainland. It uses robust, armoured fibre cables laid on the seabed to carry high-speed internet and telecom signals, thereby benefitting remote regions.

A Submarine Optical Fibre Cable (SOFC) of 2,312 km was commissioned on 10 August 2020 between Chennai and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Another  SOFC  of  1,869  km  was  commissioned  on  3  January  2024  between  Kochi  and  the Lakshadweep Islands, along with a 225 km internal optical fibre network across 11 islands to support FTTH and other digital services.

Common  Services  Centres  (CSCs ) : CSCs  are  established  throughout  the  country  to  provide citizen-centric services. The network of CSC continues to grow, with around 5,67,468 CSCs (as on 31.10.2025) presently functioning across India out of which 4,41,270 are functional at GP level. More than 800 services are being delivered through these CSCs.

In Bihar, 55,557 CSCs are functional, including 49,632 CSCs in rural with 1,066 functional CSCs in Kishanganj district of Bihar (as on 31st October 2025).

The State/district wise details of CSC and list of services are available at www.csc.gov.in .

Further, CSCs contribute significantly towards digital financial inclusion and service delivery to the citizens. During Financial Year 2024-25, approximately 49.5 crore  digital transactions were carried out through the network of CSCs.

PMGDISHA: The  scheme  was  aimed  at  providing  basic  digital  literacy  to  rural  households. Nationwide, 6.39 crore candidates were trained, including 74.12 lakh in Bihar and 1.23 lakh in Kishanganj.

The scheme concluded on 31.03.2024.

National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT): NIELIT operates 56 centres nationwide, including 3 centres in Bihar. There are over 700 training partners and 9,000 facilitation centres.

NIELIT has trained more than 30,000 candidates in various skill-based long-term, short-term and awareness courses in the State of Bihar in the last 3 years.

The NIELIT Digital University (NDU) Platform provides online skill-based courses in emerging technologies.

Through these initiatives, the government is ensuring reliable internet access, enhanced digital literacy, and secure digital transactions to rural and remote citizens.

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