BharatNet Project
Current Affairs & Government Schemes › Digital India and Technology Schemes · Topic 10.2
The BharatNet Project is India's rural broadband programme to connect all gram panchayats with optical fibre, run by the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications and funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund, now called the Digital Bharat Nidhi. It began as the National Optical Fibre Network, approved in October 2011, and was renamed BharatNet in 2015. Phase I and Phase II connected about 2.15 lakh gram panchayats with about 6.95 lakh km of fibre, as reported. In August 2023 the Cabinet approved the Amended BharatNet Programme, about Rs 1.4 lakh crore, to extend the network to about 2.64 lakh gram panchayats and all villages, with BSNL as the project manager.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Current Affairs & Government Schemes · Digital India and Technology Schemes
At a Glance
- Ministry Communications (DoT)
- Origin NOFN, approved October 2011
- Funding USOF, now Digital Bharat Nidhi
- Connected About 2.15 lakh gram panchayats
- New phase Amended BharatNet Programme, August 2023
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Current Affairs and Government Schemes: Digital India and Technology Schemes
Where Does It Fit?
This is the second topic of the macro on Digital India and technology. It builds the first pillar of Digital India, Broadband Highways, and provides the backbone for services such as Common Services Centres and public Wi-Fi. Previous topic: Digital India Programme. Next topic: National e-Governance Plan Operator Village Level Entrepreneur SPV CSC e-Governance Services…">Common Services Centres (CSC) Scheme.
How Has BharatNet Evolved?
| Stage | What happened |
|---|---|
| NOFN | The National Optical Fibre Network was approved in October 2011 to connect 2.5 lakh gram panchayats with fibre, with the Universal Service Obligation Fund as the source of money |
| Special vehicle | Bharat Broadband Network Limited was set up as a special purpose vehicle to execute it, and in 2022 it was merged into BSNL |
| Renaming | The project was renamed BharatNet in 2015 and made the Broadband Highways pillar of Digital India |
| Phase I | Connect one lakh gram panchayats using underground fibre by December 2017 |
| Phase II | Connect the remaining gram panchayats using a mix of fibre, radio and satellite, with State-led models in some States, by 2023 |
| Amended BharatNet Programme | Approved on 4 August 2023 at about Rs 1.4 lakh crore to upgrade and extend the network on a ring topology to about 2.64 lakh gram panchayats and also to all villages |
| Operation | BSNL is the single project management agency for operation and maintenance, and Tamil Nadu chose to use its own State agency, TANFINET |
What Is the Progress and Present Status?
- Reach: Government statements reported about 2.14 to 2.15 lakh gram panchayats connected and about 6.95 lakh km of optical fibre laid, covering nearly 97 per cent of gram panchayats under the earlier phases
- Amended programme: Work under the amended programme continues in States. A reply in Parliament in June 2026 reported that 295 gram panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir had been upgraded. A national count under the amended programme was not available, so check the Department of Telecommunications
- Timeline: Reports suggest completion of the amended programme by about March 2027
- Cost: The outlay is reported as about Rs 1.39 to 1.4 lakh crore in different sources
- Wider network: The National Broadband Mission aims for fibre to all villages, as in National Broadband Mission
- Public Wi-Fi: Villages can use the network for hotspots, as in PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface)
What Else Should You Remember?
- Digital Bharat Nidhi: The Telecommunications Act, 2023 renamed the Universal Service Obligation Fund as the Digital Bharat Nidhi, to support services in rural and remote areas
- USOF source: The fund is built from a levy of 5 per cent on the adjusted gross revenue of telecom operators, a part of the licence fee
- Gram panchayat: The aim is to provide at least 100 Mbps connection capacity at each gram panchayat, which can serve schools, health centres, banks and offices
- Last mile: The gap between the gram panchayat and homes is the last mile, and Wi-Fi, fibre to the home and mobile networks cover it
- Services: Telemedicine, e-learning, e-governance and digital payments depend on this backbone
- Ring topology: A ring design gives a second route for data, so the network keeps running if a cable is cut
- Wireless: Satellite links are used in remote regions, such as islands and mountain areas
- Concerns: Delays, poor quality of work, power supply to equipment, cable cuts, low usage and operator issues
- Low take-up: Many connected gram panchayats have little use of the connection, because the last mile and local demand are weak
- Way forward: Strong operation and maintenance, use by service providers and links to local entrepreneurs and schools
- Exam trap: BharatNet is funded from the Universal Service Obligation Fund and is not paid from the general budget alone
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Origin: NOFN in 2011, renamed BharatNet in 2015
- Funding: USOF, now Digital Bharat Nidhi
- Agency: BSNL after the merger of BBNL
- Amended programme: Approved on 4 August 2023
- Common errors: Saying it uses the general budget only or giving the wrong ministry
As an analytical point, laying fibre to the gram panchayat is only half the job. Without reliable power, local service providers and useful services, the connection stays unused.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- History NOFN to BharatNet
- Funding USOF and DBN
- Amended programme 2023 approval
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the village-level centres that deliver digital services to citizens. Next topic: Common Services Centres (CSC) Scheme.
Key People and Terms
- BharatNet Rural broadband network
- NOFN National Optical Fibre Network
- USOF Universal Service Obligation Fund
- BBNL Bharat Broadband Network Limited
- Ring topology Network with two routes
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Approved as NOFN: October 2011.
- Renamed: 2015.
- Funding: USOF, now Digital Bharat Nidhi.
- Amended programme: 4 August 2023.
- Connected: about 2.15 lakh gram panchayats.
Do Not Confuse With
- BharatNet and the National Broadband Mission A network project versus an overall policy mission
- BharatNet and PM-WANI Fibre backbone versus public Wi-Fi hotspots
- BharatNet and mobile connectivity schemes Fibre to gram panchayats versus mobile towers in villages
Memory Hook
From NOFN to BharatNet to the amended plan: fibre first to the gram panchayat, then to the village.
Mains Angle
Questions ask whether rural connectivity makes a difference. These points give a balanced frame.
- Strengths Backbone for services and USOF funding
- Weaknesses Delays, upkeep and low usage
- Way forward Operations, last mile and local demand
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the objectives of the BharatNet Project and the challenges in making rural broadband useful for citizens.”
How to Answer
- Introduce Project and phases.
- Objectives Services and backbone.
- Challenges Upkeep, last mile, usage.
- Way Operations and local demand.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BharatNet Project?
BharatNet is India's rural broadband programme to connect all gram panchayats with optical fibre. It began as the National Optical Fibre Network in October 2011, was renamed BharatNet in 2015, is run by the Department of Telecommunications and is funded from the Universal Service Obligation Fund, now called the Digital Bharat Nidhi.
What is the Amended BharatNet Programme?
The Amended BharatNet Programme was approved by the Cabinet on 4 August 2023 at about Rs 1.4 lakh crore. It upgrades the earlier network and extends it on a ring design to about 2.64 lakh gram panchayats and all villages, with BSNL as the project management agency for operation and maintenance.
Which ministry runs BharatNet?
The Department of Telecommunications in the Ministry of Communications runs BharatNet. The earlier special vehicle, Bharat Broadband Network Limited, was merged into BSNL in 2022. Funding comes from the Universal Service Obligation Fund, which receives a share of the licence fee paid by telecom operators.
What is the latest status of BharatNet?
Government statements report about 2.15 lakh gram panchayats connected with about 6.95 lakh km of fibre under the earlier phases. The Amended BharatNet Programme is under way, with completion reported for about March 2027. Check the Department of Telecommunications for the current national count.
What is the Digital Bharat Nidhi?
The Digital Bharat Nidhi is the new name of the Universal Service Obligation Fund under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. It is built from a levy on telecom operators and supports service in rural and remote areas, including projects such as BharatNet and mobile coverage in unconnected villages.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 BharatNet was earlier called the National Optical Fibre Network.
It was renamed in 2015.
2 BharatNet is run by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
It is run by the Department of Telecommunications.
3 BharatNet is funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund.
The fund is now the Digital Bharat Nidhi.
4 BSNL is the project management agency under the Amended BharatNet Programme.
Tamil Nadu is an exception.
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