Prime Minister highlights Digital India’s impact, 5G expansion, direct benefit transfers and the need for a global framework to tackle cyber fraud and deepfakes
New Delhi, October 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi on Thursday, highlighting India’s progress in digital connectivity, telecom manufacturing and technology-driven governance. He called for stronger phone and network security, international cooperation against digital fraud, and greater domestic ownership of technology and intellectual property.
Addressing telecom industry leaders, operators, researchers, academics and startups, Modi said India’s telecom sector was steadily moving towards greater self-reliance. He noted that mobile phones had evolved beyond communication devices to become important tools for public service delivery, education, digital creativity and economic participation.
Digital India and inclusive governance
The Prime Minister said the Digital India initiative was designed to address the digital divide that had made modern technology inaccessible to many people. By placing mobile connectivity at the centre of the programme, the government sought to make digital services more widely available.
He highlighted how citizens can now access hundreds of government services through mobile phones, while financial assistance is transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts. According to Modi, these changes have reduced travel, waiting time and costs for citizens.
He also cited the role of digital platforms in expanding access to education. Referring to the DIKSHA platform, he said it had recorded more than five billion learning sessions and 60 billion learning minutes up to July 2022 during the pandemic period. He added that efforts were underway to connect around 25 crore students with digital and online education resources.
On financial inclusion, Modi said more than ₹50 lakh crore had been transferred directly to beneficiaries through digital systems, helping reduce leakages. He also highlighted PM-KISAN, under which more than ₹4 lakh crore had been transferred directly to farmers, according to his address.
5G expansion and the creator economy
Recalling the launch of 5G services at the India Mobile Congress in 2022, the Prime Minister said the network had expanded to every district, supported by more than 5.5 lakh base stations. He also pointed to improvements in internet speeds and the growth of digital infrastructure.
Modi said affordable data and wider connectivity had helped create new opportunities in gaming, e-sports, entertainment and online content production. He noted that mobile phones now serve as both gaming platforms and content-creation studios, enabling more people—particularly young people in smaller cities—to participate in the digital economy.
Cybersecurity and global cooperation
Emphasising the growing importance of digital trust, the Prime Minister said citizens must be able to verify callers and messages, make secure payments and feel confident that their personal information is protected.
He identified cyber fraud and deepfakes as challenges requiring coordinated international action. Modi called for a global framework involving governments, technology companies, telecom operators and financial institutions to tackle such threats proactively. He also invited the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) to contribute to developing effective solutions.
India’s next phase of telecom self-reliance
The Prime Minister said India had moved from being primarily a consumer of technology to becoming a creator, with the next objective being domestic development of products, designs, technology and intellectual property.
He referred to regulatory reforms, incentives and initiatives intended to strengthen the telecom ecosystem. He also highlighted progress in semiconductor manufacturing, saying commercial production had begun at five locations and that the next phase of the India Semiconductor Mission would focus on building a more comprehensive domestic supply chain.
Modi urged participants to use the India Mobile Congress as a platform for innovation, research and international partnerships that address human needs and support India’s ambition of becoming a developed nation.
The event also coincided with the 10th anniversary of IMC and the hosting of a GSMA Board meeting in India. The Prime Minister began his address by paying tribute to Indian Air Force personnel on Air Force Day and expressing gratitude for the wishes he received on completing 25 years as head of government.
