India Mobile Congress 2025: Telecom’s GDP share may jump from 14% to 20% by 2037, says Scindia

Speaking on the sidelines of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, Arvind Kumar, Director General of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), highlighted India’s growing prominence as a global hub for deep tech and digital innovation.

He said STPI continues to drive advancements in cutting-edge domains such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and quantum computing. “Today, digital connectivity is no longer a privilege; it is an integral part of every Indian’s life, enabling growth, inclusion, and empowerment across the nation,” Kumar said.

He noted that India is now poised to offer technology-driven solutions to global challenges across industries like mobile, telecom, electronics, and digital infrastructure. “At STPI, we remain committed to sustaining this momentum by fostering innovation, strengthening digital infrastructure, and connecting startups with industry leaders,” he added.

Kumar underlined that such collaboration will play a pivotal role in cementing India’s leadership in the global digital economy — echoing the theme of India Mobile Congress 2025: ‘Innovate to Transform’.

Speaking at the International 6G Symposium during the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the government’s role in telecom has evolved from being a regulator to a facilitator.

He highlighted that 30 ministries have come together for IMC 2025, reflecting a whole-of-government approach to advancing India’s digital vision.

Scindia noted that within just 20 months, India successfully developed a full indigenous 4G technology stack.

“India not only creates and fulfils its domestic value proposition but also builds for the world,” Scindia said.

• At the International 6G Symposium during India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the pace for telecom sector growth over the last 11 years.
• Digital inclusion and telecom will be key drivers of India’s economic growth in the coming years.
• The telecom sector currently contributes 12–14% to India’s GDP; this is projected to rise to 20% in the next 12 years.
• The government’s role is evolving “from a regulator to a facilitator,” Scindia noted.
• Around 30 ministries have collaborated for the IMC 2025 event, reflecting the scale of India’s digital ecosystem.India developed a full 4G stack within just 20 months, demonstrating rapid technological progress.
• Scindia said India not only addresses its domestic needs but also “builds for the world,” showcasing global ambitions in telecom innovation.

We should be able to create brands that the world wears. We should be able to attach reliability to make in India brand: Gupta

• “Where all options are exhausted, women can show a new direction,” said Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the India Mobile Congress 2025.
• She recalled India’s digital journey, saying, “There was a time when no one could imagine that even the poorest would have access to a mobile phone — we have evolved from that point. Digital payments have become ubiquitous.”
• Gupta noted that India now ranks first globally in digital payments and connectivity.
• Speaking about the future, she said the advent of 6G will bring “millions of opportunities for citizens.”
• “Innovation has no gender,” she added, highlighting women’s growing role in the tech ecosystem.
• Gupta praised Indian women for excelling across sectors, saying they have “earned a name in all fields and walks of life.”

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has begun receiving applications and suggestions from industry players for the capital equipment segment under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) — the only category where submissions remain open after the September 30 deadline for other segments, joint secretary Sushil Pal on October 8 said.

At the International 6G Symposium held as part of the India Mobile Congress, Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia said that India’s adoption and development of 6G technology could add as much as $1.2 trillion to the country’s GDP by 2035.

“By 2035, these value additions with the help of 6G are projected to add a staggering 1.2 trillion dollars to India’s GDP,” Scindia said.

The minister noted that India’s telecom journey had undergone a significant transformation over the past decade. “We were behind the world on 4G, we walked with the world on 5G, but India will lead the world with 6G,” he said.

Reliance Jio Infocomm Chairman Akash Ambani on Wednesday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, describing it as pivotal in steering India's digital transformation. Speaking at the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, held at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, Ambani said India is "lucky to have a leader like PM Modi," whose vision has defined the country's technological and economic journey over the past 25 years. Reflecting on India's rapid digital evolution, Ambani highlighted how the IMC showcased the country's expanding technological ecosystem - from semiconductors and artificial intelligence to fraud prevention and the emerging 6G landscape. (Read More)

Bharti Airtel managing director and GSMA chairman Gopal Vittal on Tuesday called for a new framework of trust, security and regulatory balance in the digital era, warning that while India has solved the problem of connectivity, the next challenge lies in safeguarding users and strengthening institutional collaboration.

“Connectivity today is like a fundamental right,” Vittal said, speaking at Indian Mobile Congress 2025 session. “If it’s taken away, the impact is catastrophic — from banking and aviation to payments. But beyond connectivity, the real questions are about trust, security, and inclusion.”

Vittal said incidents of financial scams and cybercrime were eroding public trust, citing a case of a retired individual who lost his life savings to online fraud. “Globally, over a trillion dollars is lost every year to digital fraud. Trust is a fundamental issue,” Vittal said.

Scindia: India is no longer a mere consumer of technology. We strive to be the architect.

Scindia: 6G will transform every aspect of our lives. It will have massive impacts in agriculture, smart cities, healthcare, disaster management and so on

Scindia: By 2035 these value additions with the help of 6G, is projected to add a staggering 1.2 tn dollars to india’s gdp

India has transformed innovation from a niche pursuit into a national movement, powered by policy, purpose and people, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said on Tuesday, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decade of leadership for redefining the country’s technological and entrepreneurial landscape.

“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India has turned innovation into a people’s movement, a national conviction and a collective mission,” Chandra Sekhar said, adding that what India has achieved in ten years “isn’t miraculous — it’s methodical.”

We need to see where the challenges are in the global supply chain. Any supply chain bottleneck is an opportunity for India to resolve: PM Modi

We are working on 10 semiconductor manufacturing units: PM Modi

World is increasingly creating more data, so storage security and sovereignty will become more important: PM Modi

We can become a global data hub: PM Modi

In mobile manufacturing, we need to work more on chipsets and other components: PM Modi

Digital connectivity is not a privilege or luxury: PM Modi

Our democratic setup and welcoming approach and ease of doing business has ensured our image as investor friendly nation: PM Modi

This is the best time to invest, innovate and make in India: PM Modi

Manufacturing to semiconductors and mobiles to electronics, we have enough opportunities and energy: PM Modi

I had announced from ramparts of Red Fort, that this is the year of big reforms: PM Modi

We are increasing pace of reforms: PM Modi

Our innovators and industry have more responsibility: PM Modi

Start-ups will play a big role: PM Modi

Reflecting on the past decade, he stressed the importance of a modern legal foundation to support India's rapid digital and technological transformation.

PM Modi pointed out that the Made-in-India 4G stack is ready for export, showcasing India's growing presence in global technology markets.

PM Modi noted that the installation of 1 lakh towers has attracted global attention, demonstrating India's infrastructure capabilities.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the new 4G stack will provide faster internet speeds, seamless connectivity, and more reliable services for users.

In his inaugural address, he highlighted the launch of India's indigenous 4G stack, calling it a major milestone in the country's technology development.

We are working to foster partnerships between premier tech institutes and startups," says PM Modi. The country has come a long way-from struggling with 2G, we now have 5G coverage in every corner, he adds.

Mobile phone manufacturing has increased 28 times since 2014, says PM Modi.

Our electronics production has grown sixfold since 2014," he notes.

Mobile manufacturing has expanded 28 times, and exports have surged 127 times, says PM Modi.

IMC has become largest digital technology forum in Asia: PM Modi

This success story has been written by India's tax saving mindset and led by Indian youth: PM Modi

We are providing funds for our start-ups via our schemes like digital innovation square: PM Modi

Telecom tech development fund, digital communication innovation is providing funds to support our startups: PM Modi

In his inaugural address, PM Modi says India's digital future is in capable hands

India has transformed from a “technology taker to a digital flag-bearer of the world,” Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said while inaugurating the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 on Tuesday. Highlighting the country’s rapid telecom evolution, Scindia said India’s mobile data costs have fallen by 98% over the past 11 years, dropping from Rs 287 per GB in 2014 to just Rs 9.11 today. “There was a time when a single minute of voice was a luxury. Today, India is home to 20% of the world’s mobile population with 1.2 billion subscribers,” he said. (Read More)

The 4D system, created by PM Modi, is shaping India's growth and setting an example for the world, says Scindia.

India is hosting a Startup World Cup where 500 companies will compete for funding, says Scindia.

The country is witnessing a DSS revolution: Designing in India, Solving for India, and Scaling from India, says Scindia.

India has entered the league of four nations leading in product innovation, says Scindia.

The Prime Minister has unveiled one lakh towers across India, forming the domestic 4G stack, says Scindia.

Semiconductor chips today play a role akin to the charkha before independence, symbolizing self-reliance, says Scindia.

Under the PLI scheme, semiconductor production has reached Rs 91,000 crore, says Scindia.

India's ambition extends beyond 5G, with the Bharat 6G Alliance expected to contribute 10% of global patents, says Scindia.

India as a global digital leader

From being a technology taker and follower, India has emerged as the digital flagbearer of the world, says Scindia.

Rapid technological progress

India has achieved in a decade what took many other countries several decades, becoming a technology flagbearer, says Scindia.

Mobile population

Today, India is home to 1.2 billion mobile subscribers, representing 20% of the world's mobile population, says Scindia.

Internet growth

The country has grown from 60 million broadband users to 944 million internet subscribers, says Scindia.

Global digital standing

India is set to become the world's third-largest digital nation, says Scindia.

India's digital ranking

India is poised to become the world's third-largest digital nation, says Scindia.

Telecom revolution driven by 4Ds

Today, India's telecom revolution is built on the 4Ds: democracy, demography, digital-first approach, and delivery, says Scindia.

Affordable data

The cost of 1GB of data today stands at just 9 rupees 11 cents, says Scindia.

5G connectivity and scale

Nearly 99.9% of India's districts are now connected via 5G, giving the country a scale advantage, says Scindia.

Global adoption of DPI model

Twenty countries around the world are in active discussions to adopt India's DPI model, says Scindia.

Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North-East Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, has arrived at the venue. On Monday, he traveled to the Dwarka-based convention centre via metro. "The four-day mega event will bring together global telecom leaders, innovators, startups, and policymakers under one roof to chart the roadmap for 6G, AI-native networks, satellite communications, and next-generation digital infrastructure, reaffirming India's leadership in the global telecom sector," Scindia posted on X following his visit.

Reliance Jio Infocomm Chairman Akash Ambani and Bharti Enterprises founder and chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal have reached the venue.

IMC 2025 highlights innovation as a key engine for India's growth, driving transformation across telecom, industry, infrastructure, society, and sustainability, while supporting the nation's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. As a global platform, the event brings together leaders, startups, investors, and partners to encourage collaboration, demonstrate India's capabilities in telecom, electronics, and digital inclusion, and position the country to lead in 5G, 6G, AI, satellite communications, quantum technologies, electronics manufacturing, and cybersecurity-building an inclusive, self-reliant, and globally influential Bharat.

Last year's India Mobile Congress, held from October 15 to 18, featured over 400 exhibitors, nearly 900 startups, and participants from more than 120 countries. The event showcased around 900 technology use cases and hosted over 100 sessions with more than 600 speakers, demonstrating India's growing influence in the global digital and telecom landscape.

Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia noted that IMC brings together global telecom leaders, startups, and policymakers to shape the future of 6G, AI-native networks, satellite communications (Satcom), and next-generation digital infrastructure, positioning India as a key player in the global technology ecosystem.

P. Ramakrishna, CEO of IMC, said this year's edition will highlight India's technological strengths and show how the Indian mobile and telecom ecosystem is evolving to meet global requirements. He emphasized that indigenous platforms are crucial for self-reliance while also enhancing India's position as a global telecom hub. The event will feature exhibitions showcasing AI-driven 5G applications and early 6G use cases.

The event is expected to attract over 1.5 lakh visitors from more than 150 countries, with participation from over 400 companies. Attendees will witness over 1,600 new use cases across 5G, 6G, AI, smart mobility, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and green technology. IMC will feature more than 100 sessions and 800 speakers, emphasizing international collaboration with delegations from Japan, Canada, the UK, Russia, Ireland, and Austria.

IMC 2025 is Asia's largest gathering for the telecom, media, and technology sectors, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, innovators, and industry experts. The four-day event will focus on strategic areas such as optical communications, semiconductors in telecom, quantum communications, 6G, and fraud risk management, highlighting India's priorities in next-generation connectivity, cybersecurity, and technological leadership.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, this morning. The event is organized jointly by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India under the theme "Innovate to Transform", reflecting India's focus on innovation-driven digital and societal transformation.