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বিজ্ঞান ও প্রযুক্তিGS3
GS3

India Mobile Congress 2026 Theme and Telecom Sector Growth

Source:PIB ↗

কেন এটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ

India Mobile Congress is a vital platform for showcasing India's advancements in telecommunication and digital infrastructure. Understanding its themes and goals helps candidates grasp the government's priorities in technology scaling, 5G/6G deployment, and AI, which are frequent subjects in GS3 (Economy and Science & Technology).

সারসংক্ষেপ

Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia unveiled 'Scale without boundaries' as the theme for the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026. Jointly organized by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), IMC is Asia's largest telecom, media, and technology forum. The theme reflects India's ambition to expand its technological capabilities globally, focusing on 5G, 6G, AI, and semiconductor advancements. The event acts as a critical platform for industry stakeholders to collaborate on scaling digital infrastructure and advancing the Digital India vision.

মূল বিষয়

  • The theme for the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026, 'Scale without boundaries', was unveiled by Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.
  • The theme underscores India's objective to expand its telecom, digital, and deep-tech ecosystems to achieve a global footprint.
  • IMC serves as Asia's premier technology forum, organized jointly by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).
  • The event highlights next-generation technologies, including 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, and IoT, contributing to the digitalization of the Indian economy.

গুরুত্বপূর্ণ শব্দ

Digital India

A flagship program launched in 2015 to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy by expanding internet access and online public services.

UPSC context

GS II (E-governance) & GS III (IT); tests digital inclusion, connectivity infrastructure, and digital service delivery models.

Source
Department of Telecommunications (DoT)

A department under the Ministry of Communications responsible for formulating telecom policies, issuing licenses, managing radio spectrum, and driving digital communications growth.

UPSC context

GS III (Infrastructure, Science & Tech); tests regulatory frameworks, telecom policies, spectrum allocation, and digital governance.

Source
Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI)

An influential non-governmental trade association and advocacy group representing India's mobile communications industry and telecommunications service providers.

UPSC context

GS III (Economy, Infrastructure); tests public-private collaboration, telecom sector challenges, and regulatory advocacy.

Source
India Mobile Congress (IMC)

Asia's largest annual technology and telecommunications forum, co-organized by the DoT and COAI, showcasing advancements in 5G, 6G, AI, and electronics.

UPSC context

GS III (Science & Technology); tests tech innovation, indigenous telecom equipment, and digital-era public-private ecosystem partnerships.

Source

প্রিলিমস ফাঁদ

The Digital Bharat Nidhi operates as an independent fund where levy collections are credited directly without entering the Consolidated Fund of India.

Under Section 25 of the Telecommunications Act 2023, collections must first be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India and require parliamentary approval before utilization.

সংযুক্ত স্থির ধারণা

Economy Infrastructure

What is the statutory basis and structure of the Digital Bharat Nidhi?

  • Legislative Origin: Replaces the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) under Chapter V of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
  • Funding Mechanism: Financed through a Universal Service Levy of up to 5% on operators' Adjusted Gross Revenue.
  • Budgetary Flow: Levy is first credited to the Consolidated Fund of India and requires parliamentary approval to become non-lapsable.
Economy Regulatory Bodies

What is the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI)?

  • Legal Status: Established in 1995 as a non-governmental registered society, not a statutory regulator.
  • Primary Mandate: Acts as the official advocacy voice for the Indian mobile communications and infrastructure sector.

আন্তঃবিষয় প্যাটার্ন

  • 6G R&D + Tech Sovereignty

    Using the Telecom Technology Development Fund for SAMEER's 6G Terahertz testbed aligns national security interests with indigenization and deep-tech manufacturing.

  • Digital Bharat Nidhi + Rural Development

    Expanding rural broadband via the renamed fund directly bridges the digital divide, boosting local e-governance and financial inclusion across rural India.

The structural transition from USOF to Digital Bharat Nidhi and its role in funding 6G R&D via TTDF is highly testable for 2026.

সংযুক্ত PYQ · 2

সংযুক্ত PYQ · 2

  • 2023MainsGS3

    What is the status of digitalization in the Indian economy? Examine the problems faced in this regard and suggest improvements.

  • 2022PrelimsGS1

    Consider the following communication technologies: 1. Closed-circuit Television 2. Radio Frequency Identification 3. Wireless Local Area Network Which of the above are considered Short-Range devices/technologies?