India to lead 6G race while strengthening telecom safety and citizen connectivity, says Union minister Scindia

India is rapidly progressing from being a 5G frontrunner to emerging as a global contender in 6G innovation, and is simultaneously focused on making telecom services universally accessible and secure for citizens, Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Monday.Speaking at the launch of the Sanchar Mitra Scheme, aimed at deepening citizen engagement in telecom services, Scindia highlighted the country’s growing stature in global communications—from indigenous telecom manufacturing to ranking among the top six nations filing for 6G patents, PTI reported.“We marched with the world on 5G, we will lead the world in 6G. We are among the top six countries today that are filing for 6G patents... And I am confident that when the World Radio Communications Conference is held in 2027... when they decide which waves will go in for 6G... it is from now till then. There are entrepreneurs, companies, innovators across the board, must aspire to ensure that India leads that technology wave in the days to come,” Scindia said.The Minister said the country's transformation in the telecom sector is “systemic, structural, and indigenous” and underscored India’s historical legacy of innovation through institutions like Nalanda. He also unveiled the theme “Innovate to Transform” for the upcoming 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, scheduled for October.In response to a question on satellite communication service rollouts, Scindia said, “Our job is to be able to provide the licence if they have fulfilled all the conditions which two companies had, we are close to third company doing so, and then the rules for the spectrum allocation, which now TRAI has come out with... basis both of these, when the spectrum will be administratively assigned, then it depends on the individual companies to define their own path. We can't define that for them.”Highlighting digital security, Scindia said, “Our private sector companies coming out with their Kavach to protect our customers from online fraud, from spam. DOT's Sanchar Sathi portal, which acts like a shield, which by itself, has disconnected almost close to 3.4 crore fake mobile connections...”“Our job is to be a provider of services, but our job is also to protect every citizen as we transcend from the physical highway of roads to the informational and telecommunications digital highway, which today has become all-pervasive across the length and breadth of our country,” he added.The Sanchar Mitra Scheme will empower youth to serve as digital ambassadors and bridge the gap between citizens and the telecom ecosystem. The initiative will also offer volunteers exposure to emerging technologies and Department of Telecommunications (DoT) projects, enhancing job readiness and research interest.“This is a whole of our ecosystem approach. And this is a whole of nation approach to safeguarding the digital security, of every single one of us,” the minister said.The India Mobile Congress 2025 will be held from October 8–11 at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, New Delhi, and is expected to draw over 1.5 lakh visitors from 150+ countries. Organised by DoT and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), IMC 2025 will feature 400+ exhibitors, 7,000 global delegates, 800+ speakers, and over 100 conference sessions.The ASPIRE startup platform, launched in 2023, will return with 500+ startups and connect them to 300+ investors, incubators, and VCs through mentorship, live pitches, and networking opportunities.