In a decisive step toward technological self-reliance, India is setting its sights on global leadership in the next-generation telecommunications space with the Bharat 6G Mission. On Tuesday, Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia convened a high-level meeting of the Apex Council under the mission to assess India’s progress in 6G research and chart a clear roadmap for achieving the nation’s 2030 goals. The gathering brought together senior officials, leading researchers, representatives from telecom operators, industry leaders, and members of the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA), underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach to next-generation telecom innovation.

The meeting was held against the backdrop of India’s ambition to transition from a technology adopter to a global technology creator, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence-driven networks, green telecom, photonics, advanced sensing, and satellite communications. Scindia emphasised that India’s participation in the 6G domain should not be limited to passive adoption of international standards or reliance on foreign equipment suppliers. Instead, the goal is to develop indigenous capabilities, create homegrown solutions, and ensure that the benefits of 6G reach citizens across the country, including those in rural and remote areas.

Collaboration Across Stakeholders

A key feature of the Bharat 6G Mission is the Bharat 6G Alliance, which brings together academia, industry, government agencies, and non-governmental stakeholders to coordinate research and innovation efforts. During the meeting, Scindia highlighted the importance of increased synergy among the seven working groups operating under the Alliance. These groups focus on different technical and policy domains within 6G, such as spectrum allocation, AI-enabled network management, green communications, security protocols, and next-generation applications for healthcare, agriculture, and public services.

Scindia urged each working group to establish measurable quarterly targets and hold regular reviews of their progress. He stressed that technology development should not be treated as an abstract academic exercise but as a practical endeavour whose outcomes can be tested, demonstrated, and eventually deployed for public benefit. The minister noted, “India must evolve from being a follower in telecom technology to becoming a creator. Our work today will determine whether our citizens and industries can leverage the full potential of 6G in the next decade.”

Evidence of India’s Growing Capabilities

Speaking at the meeting, Minister of State for Communications Chandrasekhar Pemmasani presented a detailed review of the Alliance’s contributions to date. He highlighted the release of eight technical papers by the B6GA, covering critical domains such as AI-native network design, energy-efficient and green telecom solutions, new 6G applications, and security challenges. These papers, Pemmasani said, provide evidence that India is moving beyond merely implementing existing technologies toward becoming an active innovator shaping global telecom standards.

The government has also sought to boost research capabilities through strategic funding. The Department of Science & Technology recently approved a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, anchored within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). This fund is expected to provide the resources needed for high-priority 6G initiatives, including semiconductor design, photonics research, cybersecurity solutions, advanced sensing mechanisms, AI-integrated networks, and satellite-based communications systems. By offering financial backing to critical research and development areas, the government aims to create a robust ecosystem that nurtures both academic excellence and industry-level deployment capabilities.

Showcasing 5G Success as a Foundation for 6G

To demonstrate India’s existing achievements in telecom innovation, Scindia released three booklets documenting the outcomes of 100 5G use-case laboratories established across higher education institutes nationwide. These labs have been conducting experiments, developing prototypes, and exploring real-world applications of 5G technology. The release of these booklets provided tangible evidence of India’s growing technical expertise and capacity to translate research into actionable solutions.

The labs, according to Scindia, have delivered projects in multiple sectors, from agriculture and healthcare to transport safety and industrial automation. Some of the standout achievements include AI-powered applications for precision agriculture, enhanced emergency response systems, and 5G-Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) systems for improved connectivity in challenging environments. The minister also noted the role of these labs in building human capital, enabling students and researchers to gain practical experience with cutting-edge telecom technologies while contributing to national priorities.

Awards and Recognition

Recognising excellence in innovation, the Apex Council presented awards to the top-performing laboratories. Institutions that were acknowledged under the “Excellent Category” included Punjab Engineering College, Banasthali Vidyapith, IIT Roorkee (AMRIT), and Thapar University. These institutes have made notable contributions in developing applications ranging from healthcare monitoring and agricultural efficiency tools to advanced transport safety solutions and AI-driven telecom applications. By acknowledging these efforts, the government seeks to encourage academic institutions to play a proactive role in shaping India’s next-generation telecom landscape.

Laying the Groundwork for Global Leadership

The overarching message from the meeting was clear: India is intent on not just participating in the 6G era but leading it. By combining strategic investments, robust policy support, and multi-institutional collaboration, the government aims to ensure that India becomes a key contributor to global 6G research, standard-setting, and technology deployment by 2030. This vision reflects a broader national strategy of technological self-reliance, or Atmanirbhar Bharat, applied specifically to the telecommunications sector.

Scindia reiterated the importance of inclusivity in the rollout of next-generation networks. He emphasised that the benefits of 6G—higher speeds, lower latency, AI-driven services, enhanced connectivity, and the enabling of smart infrastructure—should not be limited to urban centres or high-income communities. Special attention, he said, must be given to rural populations, enabling access to education, healthcare, and digital services while bridging the digital divide.

Looking Ahead

The meeting concluded with a clear set of expectations for the coming months. Each working group under the Bharat 6G Alliance will submit quarterly progress reports, and the Apex Council will continue to monitor developments closely. By tying research goals to measurable outcomes and maintaining rigorous oversight, the government hopes to accelerate the translation of academic innovation into deployable technologies that can serve both domestic and global markets.

The announcement of a ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund and the recognition of outstanding 5G labs signals that India is investing heavily not only in technology development but also in cultivating the next generation of engineers, researchers, and innovators. With these measures, India aims to position itself at the forefront of the global 6G revolution, ensuring that by 2030 it is not merely a consumer of technology but a creator and exporter of cutting-edge telecom solutions.

As the world watches the emergence of 6G networks over the next decade, India’s concerted efforts through the Bharat 6G Mission demonstrate a proactive strategy that combines research excellence, industry collaboration, and government support. The coming years will be critical in determining whether India can meet its ambitious goal of global leadership, bridging the gap between current technological capabilities and the promise of a connected, AI-driven, and digitally inclusive future.