India Mobile Congress 2026: 5G Scale, 6G Push
Why in News?
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10th India Mobile Congress at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, on 8 October 2026. The four-day event, held from 7 to 10 October, has the theme "Scale Without Boundaries".
- Modi said 5G connectivity has reached every district, with more than 5,50,000 base stations operating 5G across India.
- Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said one gigabyte of data cost 268 rupees in 2014 and costs about 8 rupees now.
- Organisers expect over 1.5 lakh visitors from more than 100 countries, and the programme covers 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and cyber security.
- The event matters because 6G standards are being written now, and India wants a voice in them.
Key Terminologies
- IMT-2030
- The name used by the International Telecommunication Union for sixth-generation (6G) mobile systems. The ITU Framework for it was approved in November 2023.
- Bharat 6G Alliance
- An Indian industry, academia and research body working on 6G technology. Scindia told the Congress it has 90 institutions and 7,700 patents.
- Terahertz communication
- Wireless transmission in the very high-frequency terahertz range. It can carry far more data than today's bands, but over shorter distances.
- Non-terrestrial networks
- Mobile networks that use satellites or high-altitude platforms instead of ground towers. They help connect remote and disaster-hit areas.
Key Issues
- Standards Race: The ITU invites candidate 6G technologies between February 2027 and February 2029, so the window to turn patents into global standards is short. India has to convert its patent base into standard-setting influence within these dates.
- Patents to Products: The Bharat 6G Alliance reports 7,700 patents, including 4,400 international ones, according to Scindia. Patents show research strength, but they earn returns only when they enter products and networks.
- Coverage versus Use: Modi said 5G has reached every district, with over 5,50,000 base stations. District-level coverage does not show how many households actually use it, so the real test is usage and affordability.
- Digital Learning Reach: Modi said the Government aims to connect about 25 crore students through digital education platforms. DIKSHA recorded over 500 crore learning sessions during COVID-19, but sessions do not measure learning outcomes.
- Trust and Security: The Congress lists cyber security among its nine anchor sectors and has a pillar called Suraksha, or strengthening trust. A network that serves a billion users becomes a larger target for fraud and attacks.
Key Implications
Positive/Pros/Merits
- Cheaper Data: Scindia said a gigabyte fell from 268 rupees in 2014 to about 8 rupees, which widens access to services such as DIKSHA, telemedicine and online payments.
- Network Reach: More than 5,50,000 5G base stations, with every district covered, give a base for digital services even outside metros.
- Research Capacity: The Bharat 6G Alliance, with 90 institutions and 4,400 international patents, positions India to contribute to 6G rather than only buy it.
- Industry Ecosystem: The Congress expects over 600 start-ups and 2,000 technology use cases, which can deepen domestic manufacturing in semiconductors and electronics.
Negative/Cons/Demerits
- Timeline Pressure: ITU-R completed 20 minimum technical requirements for IMT-2030 in February 2026, so the technical bar is set before India's own 6G products mature.
- Unequal Use: Cheaper data helps only those with devices and skills. The 25 crore student target depends on handsets, power and teachers, not on spectrum alone.
- Event Versus Outcome: Expected attendance of 1.5 lakh and 100 countries measures interest, not delivered investment or exports. The outcomes need tracking after the event.
- Security Burden: Each new layer of AI, satellite and cloud networks adds attack surfaces, and the Congress has to turn the Suraksha pillar into rules that regulators can enforce.
Key Initiatives
- 5G Rollout: India had more than 5,50,000 5G base stations by 8 October 2026, and the Prime Minister said every district has 5G coverage.
- Bharat 6G Alliance: This India-led body brings together 90 institutions to build 6G technology, and Scindia said it holds 7,700 patents including 4,400 international patents.
- Digital Education: The Government is working to connect about 25 crore students through digital and online education platforms, including DIKSHA, as the Prime Minister said on 8 October 2026.
- International Telecommunication Union: ITU-R approved the IMT-2030 Framework (Recommendation M.2160) in November 2023 and completed draft requirements with 20 minimum requirements in February 2026. It invites candidate technologies from February 2027 to February 2029.
- European Union: The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking was set up in November 2021 under Council Regulation 2021/2085 with EUR 900 million of EU funding for 2021 to 2027, to build Europe's 6G research base.
India is expanding 5G coverage while building a domestic research base for 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance. The ITU has set the 6G process, with candidate submissions from 2027, so the next phase is converting Indian research into standards contributions. The Prime Minister also said the Government is working to connect about 25 crore students through digital education platforms.
Director's Perspective
Way Forward
- Link every Bharat 6G Alliance patent family to a named standards proposal before the ITU submission window opens in February 2027.
- Track 5G use, not only coverage, by publishing district-wise active 5G users alongside the 5,50,000 base-station count.
- Pair the 25 crore student target with a device-and-teacher plan, and report learning outcomes alongside DIKSHA session counts.
- Turn the Suraksha pillar into binding security testing for network equipment, with results reported to Parliament.
India's 5G rollout is a clear success, but its 6G ambition is still unproven. Coverage in every district, cheaper data and 4,400 international patents show strength, while ITU's 2027 to 2029 submission window and uneven use show the gaps. In a Mains answer, credit the rollout and the research base, then conclude that India will lead in 6G only if patents turn into standards and coverage turns into everyday use.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the 10th India Mobile Congress inaugurated and by whom?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10th India Mobile Congress at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, on 8 October 2026. The four-day event runs from 7 to 10 October under the theme "Scale Without Boundaries" and focuses on 5G, 6G, AI and cyber security.
How many 5G base stations does India have?
India has more than 5,50,000 base stations operating 5G, according to Prime Minister Modi on 8 October 2026. He said 5G connectivity has reached every district of the country, which supports services such as online education and e-governance.
What is IMT-2030?
IMT-2030 is the International Telecommunication Union's name for 6G mobile systems. ITU-R approved its framework in November 2023, and it invites candidate technologies between February 2027 and February 2029, which makes the next three years decisive for 6G standards.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 IMT-2030 is the name given by the International Telecommunication Union to sixth-generation (6G) mobile systems.
ITU-R approved the IMT-2030 Framework (Recommendation M.2160) in November 2023.
2 The Bharat 6G Alliance is a body of the European Union that funds 6G research in Europe.
The Bharat 6G Alliance is an Indian body of institutions working on 6G. The European body is the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking.
3 Non-terrestrial networks use satellites or high-altitude platforms to provide mobile coverage.
They help connect remote areas where ground towers are hard to build.