Lok Sabha Question No. 625 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: National Telecom Policy, 2025
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi, Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 625 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2025

## NATIONAL TELECOM POLICY, 2025

## 625. DR. PRASHANT YADAORAO PADOLE: ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has approved the National Telecom Policy 2025 (NTP-25) which sets  direction  for  universal  connectivity,  next-gen  technologies  (5G/6G,  satellite,  IoT)  and manufacturing of telecom equipment and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the number of licence applications, projects and spectrum allocations scheduled under NTP25 in Maharashtra, including in remote/tribal districts;

(c) whether any special allocation or scheme has been formulated to enhance digital connectivity (4G/5G/public Wi-Fi) in tribal/remote areas to ensure inclusion and if, so, the details thereof;

(d) the  steps  taken/being  taken  to  incentivise  domestic  manufacturing  of  telecom  &  satellite equipment in backward districts to generate employment locally;

(e) the monitoring mechanism proposed to be put in place by the Government  to track statewise rollout, quality of service, under-served habitations and fund-utilisation; and

(f) the  timeline  by  which  the  Government  expects  Country's  telecome/digital  sector  to contribute at least 20 per cent of GDP within the next decade, as projected during the India Mobile Congress 2025 (IMC)?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): The National Telecom Policy 2025 (NTP-25) is presently under drafting stage. The NTP-25 is intended to set the intent, and strategic direction for the sector on the basis of which further course of action is planned which can be issue of authorization, sanction of project, etc. at the State or district level.

The draft NTP-25 is expected to cover broad policy themes such as Universal and Meaningful Connectivity, Domestic Manufacturing, Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business, etc.

Notwithstanding  the  ongoing  formulation  of  NTP-25,  the  Government  continues  to strengthen telecom connectivity-including in remote, rural and tribal areas under various schemes under Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) such as Amended BharatNet Program, 4G saturation of uncovered villages,  and  projects  in  Left  Wing  Extremism  affected  areas  etc.  Under  various  DBN-funded

schemes, in rural areas of Maharashtra 2,644 towers have been planned covering 3,156 villages and to cover all GPs with fiber connectivity.

Further, the Government is promoting domestic manufacturing of telecom and networking equipment,  including  through  the  Production  Linked  Incentive  Scheme,  to  enhance  indigenous production and boost the local value-addition ecosystem.

(f): Currently the digital economy contributes about 12-14% of India's GDP, and is expected to rise to around 20% over the next decade, reflecting the increasing role of the telecom and digital sectors in economic growth, depending upon the various macro-economic factors including global economic trends, technology adoption cycles, private sector investments and infrastructure roll-out.

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