India’s digital journey is no longer about catching up. It’s about leapfrogging, setting the pace, and shaping the future. In simple terms, the country is moving beyond just using digital tools; it is designing, building, and rolling out the world’s next-generation digital backbone. This infrastructure powers everything from rural schools and telehealth clinics to smart factories and green energy grids, touching every aspect of how citizens live and work.

Designing the digital future

The story begins with homegrown innovation. Unlike many countries that simply import global standards, India is now creating its own 5G and 6G blueprints. A remarkable 111 research and development projects focussed on 6G have already been sanctioned, along with national testbeds for the trial of new technologies. Over 100 laboratories across academic institutions are working on 5G innovations, producing cutting-edge solutions and aiming for India to secure 10% of the world’s 6G patents by 2027.

This shift is more than technical; it is a statement of intent. Hosting the first-ever international 3GPP meetings on 6G in India signals that the country is not just a follower but a partner in defining global digital standards. Meanwhile, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is seamlessly woven into this strategy. The India AI Mission alone allocated over ₹10,300 crore in 2024 to strengthen AI capabilities, with thousands of GPUs deployed for research and innovation centres established in key sectors like healthcare and agriculture. These design efforts are laying the foundation for a digital ecosystem that is not only powerful but also inclusive and sustainable.

Developing digital infrastructure at scale

Design is just the first step. Scaling innovation into tangible infrastructure requires an ambitious rollout, and India’s position here is improving. The vast network developed under BharatNet doesn’t just provide internet; it powers rural education, healthcare, and local businesses, uplifting millions across the countryside.

Simultaneously, Indian telecom operators have installed 4.98 lakh 5G base transceiver stations. The telecom network covers 99% of Indian villages and almost 82% of the population. Monthly broadband subscriber additions surpassed 4.2 million in June and July 2025, underscoring a digital appetite that is both deep and fast-growing. To boost self-reliance, India’s manufacturing sector is rising impressively. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for telecom and networking has generated export sales exceeding ₹14,000 crore, creating over 26,351 new jobs in the sector. Mobile manufacturing exploded from 5.8 crore units in 2014-15 to over 33 crore in 2024, with exports continuing to rise. This thrust towards indigenous production means the digital ecosystem is built on a robust, domestic supply chain.

Deploying plug-and-play digital services

From infrastructure to accessible services, India’s digital public platforms exemplify simplicity and openness. Aadhaar, with 1.39 billion biometric IDs and Unified Payments Interface (UPI), processing over 12 billion transactions monthly, is the backbone of India’s digital economy. These systems, built as open-source, interoperable stacks, are now being adopted internationally, with countries ranging from Bhutan to France integrating or licensing India’s digital payment systems.

By enabling easy access to identity verification, payment gateways, and connectivity via APIs, India’s digital ecosystem transforms complex infrastructure into ready-to-use tools, empowering entrepreneurs from remote villages to urban innovation hubs.

Accelerating growth and exporting digital expertise

This full-stack approach, from meticulous design to wide-scale deployment, is fueling India’s economic expansion in multiple dimensions. The digital economy now accounts for over 11.7% of GDP and is projected to grow even faster in the coming years. Growth in data usage, cloud computing, and AI is creating millions of jobs and spawning a vibrant startup ecosystem.

Beyond national benefits, India is positioning itself as a trusted global exporter of digital infrastructure best practices. UPI’s adoption in more than eight countries, training programs on India Stack, and collaborations around standards development are spreading India’s digital DNA worldwide. Our country is not just exporting telecom hardware and software, but the blueprint for building inclusive, resilient, and scalable digital systems.

The path forward

As India marches forward with its design, develop, and deploy strategy, it showcases an inspiring narrative of transformation. From cutting-edge R&D labs designing future networks to fibre optics lighting up distant villages, from open-source digital identities to plug-and-play telecom services, this integrated approach demystifies digital infrastructure.

It’s a model that other nations watch with keen interest; proof that with vision, policy support, and relentless execution, digital technology can be harnessed to bridge divides, power economies, and open new horizons of opportunity. India’s digital infrastructure is no longer just a national asset; it is a global beacon.

(Lt Gen. (Retd) S.P. Kochhar is the Director General at COAI)