Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated on Thursday that India has increased its broadband subscriber base from approximately 60 million to 1 billion over the last decade. He remarked that this represents a significant transformation in the country’s digital landscape and asserted that India will take the lead in the 6G sector.
Addressing the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026, Scindia noted that India now offers some of the most affordable mobile data in the world, with the cost of 1 GB of mobile data standing at around ₹8.
He observed that every reduction in data costs and every increase in usage has expanded opportunities for more Indians to connect, create, and innovate.
Scindia stated that India aims to move beyond being merely an adopter of technological standards to becoming a setter of such standards. He remarked, “We lagged behind in 4G while the world was on 5G, but now we will lead in 6G.”
He added that India has achieved in a single decade what might have taken other nations significantly longer to accomplish.
Scindia recalled that in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had outlined a vision to enhance connectivity across India and to position the country as a leader in future technology design.
He also highlighted October 7 as a significant day in the nation’s history, marking the completion of 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure as the head of government. Scindia expressed that, as a citizen, he takes pride in the fact that October 7 marked the completion of 25 years of the Prime Minister’s service in this leadership role.
He noted that Prime Minister Modi has completed this 25-year journey guided by the philosophy that “work is worship,” discharging his duties with a spirit of selflessness. Scindia stated that in 2014, the Prime Minister envisioned an India that is better connected, establishes its own identity in technology design, and attains a position of leadership.
He remarked that the achievements India’s telecommunications and digital sectors have realised over the past decade under the Prime Minister’s leadership are feats that could have taken other nations centuries to accomplish.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the inaugural ceremony of the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress. He was welcomed by the Communications Minister prior to the commencement of the inaugural event.
The 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress is being held at Yashobhoomi from October 7 to 10. It is being organised by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).
