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1. Building a Viksit Bharat with 6G

Building a Viksit Bharat with 6G

India’s Transition to 6G

• Objective: Position India as a global hub for next-gen telecom aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047 goals.
• Approach: Triple-pillar vision — Affordability, Sustainability, and Ubiquity.
• Context: From 4G Atmanirbharta to 6G global leadership through indigenous R&D, public-private partnerships, and international alliances.

Relevance:

• GS-3 (Science & Technology): Indigenous telecom R&D, 6G innovation ecosystem, AI-integrated networks, and digital infrastructure.
• GS-3 (Economy): Telecom sector’s GDP contribution, innovation-led growth, and startup ecosystem development.
• GS-2 (Governance & International Relations): Global collaborations (NextG, 6G IA, ESA), standard-setting diplomacy, and digital inclusion policies.

Understanding 6G: Technical Overview

• Speed: Up to 1 Tbps theoretical peak; 1 microsecond latency (≈1000× faster than 5G).
• Spectrum Range: Operates in Terahertz (THz) bands (>100 GHz) enabling massive bandwidth.
• Capabilities:
  • Real-time applications: Remote surgery, autonomous vehicles, industrial robotics.
  • AI-Integrated Networks: Autonomous data routing and edge-cloud optimization.
  • Advanced Features:
    • Precision sensing and imaging.
    • 3D holographic communication.
    • Energy-efficient data transmission.

India’s 6G Vision (Released: 22 March 2023)

• Goal: India to become a frontline designer, developer, and deployer of 6G by 2030.
• Economic Projection:
  • 6G-enabled telecom to add USD 1.2 trillion to India’s GDP by 2035.
  • 10% of global 6G patents to originate from India.
• Key Principles:
  • Affordability: Democratize access to advanced connectivity.
  • Sustainability: Green networks and low-energy infrastructure.
  • Ubiquity: Seamless digital inclusion across geographies.

Institutional Architecture

Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA)

• Launched: 2023 | Members (2025): 80+ (including 30+ startups).
• Composition: Industry, academia, telecom service providers, R&D bodies, and standardization agencies.
• Working Groups: 7 domains — Spectrum, Technology, Applications, Green & Sustainability, Use Cases, etc.
• Global Collaborations (MoUs):
  • Alliances: NextG (USA), 6G IA (Europe), 6G Flagship (Finland), 6G Forum (S. Korea), XGMF (Japan), NGMN, 6G Brasil, ESA (Europe).
  • National synergy: TSDSI and NASSCOM partnerships for standardization and AI integration.
• Objective: Create a self-reliant and globally competitive 6G ecosystem emphasizing secure, trusted telecom supply chains.

Key Government Initiatives and Schemes

100 5G Labs Programme

• Launched: FY 2023–24 across academic institutions.
• Aim: Build a 6G-ready human and innovation ecosystem.
• Functions:
  • Hands-on research for UG/PG students.
  • 5G/6G testbed access for startups and MSMEs.
  • Academia-industry collaboration for developing prototypes.

Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF)

• Launched: 1 October 2022 under USOF.
• Purpose: Fund domestic R&D and commercialization of telecom technologies for rural inclusion.
• Financials:
  • 115 projects (5G & 6G) sanctioned worth ₹310.6 crore (as of Sept 2025).
  • Project duration: 1–5 years.
• Focus:
  • Affordable broadband for rural/remote areas.
  • Indigenous development of core network equipment, chips, and software.
  • Collaboration among academia, startups, and industry.

Technology Innovation Hub at IIIT Bangalore (under NM-ICPS)

• Core Focus: Advanced Communication Systems for 5G+ and 6G networks.
• Technologies Under Development:
  • Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) – enhances signal reflection and efficiency.
  • O-RAN Massive MIMO – for scalable, software-defined networks.
• Priority: Patent creation and product-based IP generation for global 6G standards.

India’s Global Outreach and Leadership

• IMC 2025 (International 6G Symposium):
  • Showcased India’s indigenous 4G stack as a foundation for India 6G Vision 2030.
  • Released Joint Declaration on 6G Principles (10 Oct 2025).
  • MoUs signed:
    • B6GA–NASSCOM for AI-driven telecom applications.
    • B6GA–ESA for satellite-6G integration.
  • 4 Whitepapers Released:
    • Spectrum Roadmap for 6G in India.
    • Powering Next-Gen Telecom.
    • AI and Network Evolution to 5G.
    • 6G Architecture, Security & Exposure Framework for RF Sensing.

Data-Driven Outlook

Strategic Significance for India

• Technological Self-Reliance: Indigenous 4G and 5G stacks reduce dependence on foreign vendors.
• Digital Inclusion: 6G to bridge rural–urban connectivity divide.
• Strategic Autonomy: Secure supply chains and trusted telecom architecture.
• Global Standing: Active role in setting ITU 6G standards and global patent frameworks.
• Green Telecom: Energy-efficient designs aligned with India’s Net Zero 2070 vision.

Challenges Ahead

• High R&D Costs: Need for sustained public–private funding beyond ₹300 crore approved.
• Spectrum Allocation: THz range requires international harmonization.
• Security & Trust: Protecting telecom networks from cyber-espionage and backdoor vulnerabilities.
• Talent Gap: Skilling and retaining advanced telecom engineers and researchers.
• IPR Ecosystem: Accelerating patent filing and international recognition of Indian standards.

Conclusion: Towards a Viksit Bharat 2047

• India’s 6G roadmap transforms telecom from an import-dependent sector to an export-capable innovation engine.
• Anchored in Atmanirbhar Bharat, Digital India, and Viksit Bharat 2047, the 6G ecosystem will ensure:
  • Global standard-setting capacity.
  • Inclusive, affordable, and secure connectivity.
  • Integration of AI, space, and IoT to power a knowledge-driven economy.