At the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, Union Minister for Telecommunications Jyotiraditya Scindia announced India’s goal to secure 10% of global 6G patents, marking a decisive step toward technological self-reliance and leadership in next-generation connectivity. The announcement highlights India’s transition from a technology consumer to a global innovator capable of defining future telecom standards.
From 5G Success to 6G Vision
Speaking at the inaugural session, Scindia said India’s digital ambitions extend beyond universal 5G coverage. With one of the fastest 5G deployments worldwide—completed in just 20 months—India has demonstrated its capability to scale complex network rollouts. The next challenge, he said, lies in pioneering 6G innovation, chip design, and satellite communication infrastructure to shape the future of connectivity.
The government is preparing to invest ₹900 crore in a state-of-the-art satellite communications monitoring facility, aimed at protecting India’s data resources and spectrum assets. The satellite market, currently valued at $4 billion, is expected to grow nearly fourfold to $15 billion by 2033, reinforcing India’s role as a major hub for space-based communications.
Scindia noted that India’s approach to 6G is rooted in domestic innovation and global collaboration. The initiative aligns with the national “Design in India, Scale for the World” vision—encouraging companies to create, test, and commercialize telecom solutions locally before expanding globally.
Building India’s Digital Workforce and Export Power
The minister also revealed that India’s telecom exports crossed ₹18,000 crore in FY2024–25, driven by strong production-linked incentive (PLI) programs and local manufacturing. The scheme has generated ₹91,000 crore in new production and created 30,000 jobs, underscoring the strength of India’s telecom manufacturing ecosystem.
He added that the ripple effects of 6G-enabled transformation could contribute $1.2 trillion to India’s GDP, influencing key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and smart manufacturing.
India’s demographic advantage will further accelerate this transformation. With 31% of the world’s STEM graduates and a rapidly expanding startup ecosystem, the country is positioned to become the largest pool of digitally skilled professionals in the world. Partnerships with leading academic and research institutions such as IITs and IISc, along with 5G and 6G innovation labs, are expected to form the backbone of this next wave of innovation.
A Global Technology Powerhouse in the Making
Scindia reaffirmed India’s aspiration to be a technology architect, not just a participant, in shaping global connectivity standards. By building sovereign capacities in chip design, AI-native networks, and satellite communication, India is charting a long-term strategy to become a trusted global leader in telecom innovation.
As global discussions around 6G accelerate, India’s early focus on research, patents, and export-led growth could define its role in the digital economy of the next decade—making the vision of a connected, innovation-led Bharat a tangible reality.
