Lok Sabha Question No. 1999 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Compliance of Data Protection and Privacy Standards by Data Centres and Cloud Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1999 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## COMPLIANCE OF DATA PROTECTION AND PRIVACY STANDARDS BY DATA CENTRES AND CLOUD SERVICES

## 1999.   DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  current  status  of  India's  digital  infrastructure including broadband connectivity, data centres, cloud facilities and digital payment networks;

(b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  percentage  of  rural  and  urban  areas  covered  under reliable high-speed internet and optical fibre connectivity;

(c) whether large parts of rural and tribal India still lack reliable internet connectivity and basic digital infrastructure despite the Government's claims under Digital India;

(d) whether   BharatNet  project  has  met  its  targets  for  optical  fibre  connectivity  to  all  Gram Panchayats and the steps being taken by the Government to address delays;

(e) the measures being taken by the Government to ensure that data centres and cloud services located in the country comply with data protection and privacy standards; and

(f) the steps taken by the Government to strengthen cybersecurity and digital resilience in public infrastructure in view of the recent rise in cyberattacks and digital service outrages?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a) to (c) India's  digital  infrastructure  has  grown  rapidly  driven  by  significant  expansion  in telecommunication and internet services. As of 31.12.2025, the total number of Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) for 4G and 5G technologies across all States/UTs of India is 20,40,850 and 5,18,854 respectively. As of 31.12.2025, 6,31,814 villages out of 6,44,131 villages in the country (as per data of Registrar General of India), are covered with 4G mobile connectivity.  As of 30.11.2025, the total broadband subscribers in the country are more than one billion.

Further,  Government  is  providing  cloud  services  as  part  of  Digital  Government  under Meghraj  to  accelerate  delivery  of  cloud-based  e-services.  The  data  centre  ecosystem  in  India  is largely developed, owned, and operated by the private and corporate sector which is estimated at 1,280 MW as per industry reports.

(d) As of 31.12.2025 2,14,904 GPs have been made service ready under BharatNet project in the country. Further, Amended BharatNet Project aims to provide connectivity to all Gram Panchayat (GPs) in the country including upgrading existing network to ring topology and connectivity to about

3.8 Lakh non-GP villages on demand basis as well as utilization through provisioning of broadband services such as Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections etc.

(e) Government has prescribed stringent security requirement for the empaneled cloud service providers who are handling government data including compliance with international security and privacy  standards  along  with  other  security  requirements  to  ensure  cloud  security,  service management, and data protection. These compliances and standards cover critical security aspects such  as  risk  assessment,  security  controls,  service  delivery,  incident  management,  intrusion detection, data privacy, log retention, data encryption, access control, etc.

(f) The Government has taken various initiatives to strengthen cyber security and prevent cyberattacks which inter-alia, includes designation of the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) as the national agency for responding to cyber security incidents and establishment of National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC), conducting mock drills for assessment of preparedness as well as training.

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