The Government of India is intensifying its push toward next-generation telecom technology by approving 104 research and development projects worth ₹271 crore for 6G technology. The initiatives are being funded under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme and are part of the broader roadmap outlined in the Bharat 6G Vision Document, aimed at positioning India as a global leader in future communication networks.
The Government of India has approved 104 research and development projects focused on advancing 6G technology, with a total investment of ₹271 crore. The funding is being provided under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), a scheme designed to support indigenous telecom innovation and strengthen India’s capabilities in next-generation communication technologies.
The development was shared in Parliament by Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, in a written response in the Rajya Sabha.
According to the Ministry of Communications, the projects represent a major step in preparing the country for the next wave of digital connectivity that will succeed current 5G networks.
As part of its long-term telecom strategy, the government has already released the Bharat 6G Vision Document, which outlines India’s plan for research, development, and eventual deployment of 6G technologies.
The vision document defines the country’s goals in areas such as:
Advanced wireless communication technologies
Spectrum planning and allocation
Development of indigenous telecom infrastructure
Strengthening global collaboration in next-generation networks
The roadmap also identifies potential spectrum bands that could be used for 6G services in the future.
Through these efforts, India aims to become a key contributor to global standards and innovations in the telecom sector.
To support the development of 6G technology, the government has also prepared a comprehensive Spectrum Roadmap.
This roadmap provides clarity on spectrum availability and timelines across different radio frequency bands over the coming decade.
The strategy divides the rollout into three phases:
This phase focuses on early research, experimental deployments, and spectrum planning.
During this stage, the government expects further development of infrastructure, pilot projects, and early-stage deployment of 6G technologies.
The final phase aims at large-scale deployment of advanced 6G networks across the country, supporting emerging applications that require ultra-fast connectivity.
Such structured planning is intended to ensure a smooth transition from 5G to 6G in the coming years.
India’s 6G efforts are also aligned with global telecom research initiatives.
Studies on 6G technologies are being conducted at international forums such as the International Telecommunication Union.
Within the ITU framework, the Radiocommunication Sector has issued recommendations for IMT-2030, the global standard currently under development for 6G networks.
The research includes analysis of:
Spectrum feasibility
Radio signal propagation characteristics
Advanced antenna technologies
Network architecture and deployment models
These studies will help define how next-generation wireless communication systems will operate globally.
The Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) plays a crucial role in promoting domestic telecom research.
As of February 2026, a total of 136 research projects have been approved under the scheme.
Among these, 104 projects are specifically focused on 6G technology, highlighting the government’s emphasis on preparing for the future of connectivity.
These projects cover a wide range of advanced research areas, including:
Terahertz (THz) communication testbeds
Advanced transmitter modules
Cell-free access points for improved network coverage
Reconfigurable intelligent surface hardware systems
Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in telecom networks
Such research initiatives aim to develop homegrown telecom technologies, reducing dependence on foreign systems and strengthening India’s digital infrastructure.
Alongside preparations for 6G, the government highlighted the rapid expansion of 5G technology across the country.
According to official data, 5G services have now been rolled out in all states and Union Territories, covering 99.9 percent of districts.
As of February 28, 2026, India has installed 5.23 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) nationwide.
This extensive network expansion has positioned India among the fastest countries to deploy 5G infrastructure at scale.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched several initiatives to promote the use of 5G technology in critical sectors of the economy.
Key application areas include:
Telemedicine and remote healthcare
Precision agriculture
Smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0
Digital education and remote learning
These applications are expected to boost productivity, improve service delivery, and drive economic growth across industries.
To strengthen domestic telecom innovation, the government supported the creation of an Indigenous 5G Test Bed.
The project was established with a grant of ₹224 crore and developed through collaboration among several leading academic institutions, including:
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru
The test bed was officially dedicated to the nation by Narendra Modi in May 2022.
This initiative enables researchers and startups to experiment with new telecom technologies in a controlled environment.
The government has also launched 100 dedicated 5G laboratories across India to support the development of innovative applications.
These labs have been set up with an investment of ₹97.67 crore.
They focus on developing solutions in areas such as:
Agriculture
Healthcare
Logistics
Urban governance
Smart city management
The initiative aims to encourage startups, students, and researchers to create practical applications using 5G technology.
To accelerate progress in next-generation telecom technology, the government has also facilitated the creation of the Bharat 6G Alliance.
The alliance brings together:
Telecom companies
Academic institutions
Research organizations
Standards bodies
Its objective is to develop action plans aligned with the Bharat 6G Vision and enhance international collaboration in emerging telecom technologies.
The government’s investment in 6G research, combined with large-scale 5G deployment, reflects a broader strategy to strengthen India’s position in the global digital economy.
By encouraging domestic innovation, building research infrastructure, and collaborating with international institutions, India aims to become a major contributor to the development of next-generation communication systems.
As technologies such as artificial intelligence, immersive computing, and autonomous systems continue to evolve, advanced connectivity like 6G will play a critical role in powering the digital future.