India leading global telecom revolution; among top nations filing 6G patents: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Union Minister for Telecommunications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on Monday said India is leading the global revolution in telecommunications, noting that the country has consistently shaped the future rather than waiting for it. “We are among the top six countries that are filing for 6G patents. We have built one of the most robust telecommunication networks and systems across the world, which is cutting-edge, customer-oriented, and service-oriented,” he said while unveiling the theme for the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC): Innovate to Transform.

The event will be held from October 8 to 11 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi. Organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), IMC 2025 is expected to host over 1.5 lakh visitors, more than 400 exhibitors, and delegates from over 150 countries.

Scindia underlined the importance of innovation at the core of India’s telecom growth. “In 22 months, we produced the first domestic 4G stack for the world — and India has become the 5th country in the world to produce its own telco stack,” he said, stressing the need to “Design, Solve, and Scale” (DSS) to keep pace with the sector’s transformation.

DoT Secretary Neeraj Mittal said India's telecom trajectory has shifted significantly over the years—from lagging in 4G to keeping pace with global 5G rollouts and aiming to lead in 6G. He added that IMC is expanding its scope beyond telecom to cover broader horizontal tech domains.

The 2025 edition will also see a focus on startups. ASPIRE, a dedicated program launched in 2023, will return with over 500 startups and connect them with investors, VCs, and incubators through pitching and networking sessions.

During the event, the DoT announced the winners of the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Telecom Excellence Awards 2024, which recognise contributions in telecom innovation, services, and manufacturing. Recipients included Parag Naik (Sankhya Labs), Niral Networks, Lekha Wireless, Prof. Chandra Ramabhadra Murthy of IISc Bengaluru, and C-DOT for its Cell Broadcasting Solution.

Scindia also launched the Sanchar Mitra scheme, aimed at training youth volunteers to act as digital ambassadors and enhance public awareness around telecom initiatives. The program will offer exposure to emerging technologies and boost engagement with the sector.