India Unveils New Digital Bharat Nidhi Rules under Telecommunications Act
India has announced the introduction of the Telecommunications (Administration of Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024, under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. These new rules are designed to extend telecommunications services to underserved areas and communities across the country.
The Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), which replaces the previous Universal Service Obligation Fund established under the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885, is set to address the evolving needs of India's technological landscape. The DBN will support projects aimed at enhancing telecommunication services in remote regions and for marginalized groups, including women, persons with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged sections of society.
Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia praised the new rules as a significant step towards ensuring equitable access to telecom services. According to the rules, the DBN administrator will be responsible for overseeing the fund's implementation. Projects eligible for DBN funding must enhance telecommunication services, improve access to next-generation technologies, and support innovation and research in the telecom sector.
The DBN's objectives include fostering the development of indigenous technology, supporting telecom start-ups, and promoting sustainable and green technologies. The rules also emphasize the importance of ensuring that funded telecommunication networks are accessible on an open and non-discriminatory basis.
The introduction of the DBN is part of the broader Telecommunications Act, 2023, which was enacted by Parliament in December 2023 and came into effect in June 2024. The Act, which focuses on inclusion, security, growth, and responsiveness, aims to contribute to India's vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.