From 5G speed to 6G leadership, India shaping global telecom standards: Scindia

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in conversation with Managing Editor of Moneycontrol Nalin Mehta at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit on Friday.

• India now helps shape global 6G standards, says Scindia
• Bharat 6G Alliance grew from 15 to over 100 members
• India achieved fastest 5G rollout, covering 99.9% of districts

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Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said India now has a seat at the global table where 6G technology standards are being shaped, calling it a landmark moment in the nation’s telecom evolution.

Addressing the News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, he stressed that India has transitioned from merely adopting technology to actively influencing next-generation telecom frameworks.

“On 6G, the Prime Minister laid out a clear vision. The Bharat 6G Alliance — a consortium spanning the full telecom value chain — has expanded from 15 members to more than 100,” said Scindia adding that India has established partnerships with corresponding 6G alliances in 30 countries. “For the first time, India is part of the standard-setting process. As 6G takes shape, we are present at that table,” he noted.

Pointing to the country’s swift 5G deployment, Scindia said India achieved the fastest 5G rollout in the world. “We completed the rollout in just 22 months. Today, 99.9% of districts are covered by 5G, and 40 crore users have already migrated to the network,” he said, describing the achievement as the result of strong policy alignment and industry coordination.

The minister also spoke about the government’s move toward SIM binding, calling it an essential protective measure in a rapidly digitising environment. He explained that linking SIM cards to authenticated devices enhances security, reduces fraud, and limits misuse in cybercrime and financial fraud cases. As India advances further into the digital era and prepares for 6G, he said, maintaining trust and safeguarding users will remain core priorities of telecom reform.

He also congratulated Network18 Group for organising the Rising Bharat event, saying, “This platform has evolved into an institution of its own. It offers meaningful and thought-provoking dialogue for the nation.”

The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026 is a two-day national forum held in New Delhi that convenes political leaders, policymakers, business heads, innovators, intellectuals and cultural figures to examine India’s growing global influence and map its future course across technology, governance, trade, culture and social progress.