For Prelims: BharatNet, Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), State-led Model, Scheme Name, Nodal Body, Total Financial Support, Total Gram Panchayats Covered, Implementing Agency in Telangana
For Mains: Digital divide, inclusive growth, last-mile connectivity, state-led model, Digital India
Source:
PIB
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Amended BharatNet Program was approved by Union Cabinet on 4 August 2023.
- Financial support of ₹3,189 crore approved for Telangana under the program.
- The program will cover 12,769 Gram Panchayats in Telangana.
- Implementing agency in Telangana is TRIICL (Telangana Rural Internet Infrastructure Corporation Limited).
- Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), under DoT, is the nodal body, replacing the former USOF.
Why in the news?
An agreement has been signed to implement the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) in Telangana under a state-led model. The project, with ₹3,189 crore central support, aims to connect 12,769 Gram Panchayats with robust broadband, upgrade existing networks to ring topology, and enable digital services like e-Governance, telemedicine, and online education in rural areas.
Summary
- The Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) was approved by the Union Cabinet on 4 August 2023 to upgrade, consolidate and expand BharatNet for on-demand broadband to all Gram Panchayats and villages.
- In Telangana, the project will cover 12,769 Gram Panchayats, including upgradation of 1,946 Phase I GPs from linear to ring topology, 10,787 Phase II GPs, and 36 newly created GPs.
- The Government of India has approved financial support of ₹3,189 crore for this state-led model, implemented through Telangana Rural Internet Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TRIICL).
- Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), formerly the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), is the nodal body under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) supporting this program.
Highlights
Amended BharatNet Program in Telangana
An agreement was signed to implement the Amended BharatNet Program in Telangana, aiming to connect 12,769 Gram Panchayats with high-speed broadband under a state-led model.
₹3,189 Crore Central Support
The Government of India approved financial support of ₹3,189 crore for the project, which will also facilitate around three lakh rural home fibre connections with subsidy.
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) as Nodal Body
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), formerly the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), was originally established as USOF under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003 (w.e.f. 01.04.2002). Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 the USOF has been renamed Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). It is an attached office of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) overseeing universal service projects.
Key Analysis and Impact
This agreement marks the operationalisation of ABP in Telangana. Covering 12,769 Gram Panchayats, the project upgrades 1,946 Phase I GPs from linear to ring topology for better network resilience, adds 10,787 Phase II GPs, and includes 36 new GPs. The ₹3,189 crore central support is expected to generate around three lakh rural home fibre connections with subsidy. This will significantly boost digital services like e-Governance, online education, telemedicine, and digital payments in rural Telangana, bridging the digital divide.
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- BharatNet
- A flagship project of the Government of India to connect all Gram Panchayats in the country with high-speed broadband internet, implemented by the Department of Telecommunications.
- Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)
- A fund established under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003 to provide telecom services in underserved rural and remote areas. It has been renamed Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
- State-led Model
- A implementation model where the state government takes the lead role in executing a central scheme, often through a state-owned special purpose vehicle, with financial and technical support from the centre.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: Financial support of ₹3,189 crore for Telangana under Amended BharatNet Program.
- Data: 12,769 Gram Panchayats to be covered in Telangana.
- Nodal Body: Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications.
- Legal Point: Telecommunications Act, 2023 (renamed the Universal Service Obligation Fund as Digital Bharat Nidhi).
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may confuse Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) with the old Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) or swap the Amended BharatNet Program with the original BharatNet project. Also, they may ask about the implementing agency (TRIICL) versus the nodal body (DBN).
Write these in mains answers
- Digital divide, inclusive growth, last-mile connectivity, state-led model, Digital India
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The Amended BharatNet Program is a central scheme to give high-speed internet to every village office (Gram Panchayat) and village. For Telangana, the government has signed an agreement to start work. They will spend ₹3,189 crore to connect 12,769 Gram Panchayats. The work will be done by a state company called TRIICL, with help from BSNL and T-Fibre. This will help people in villages use online education, telemedicine, and digital payments.
- Amended BharatNet Program was approved by Union Cabinet on 4 August 2023.
- Financial support of ₹3,189 crore approved for Telangana under the program.
- The program will cover 12,769 Gram Panchayats in Telangana.
- Implementing agency in Telangana is TRIICL (Telangana Rural Internet Infrastructure Corporation Limited).
- Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), under DoT, is the nodal body, replacing the former USOF.
- Economy: Infrastructure: Telecom and Digital Connectivity
- Governance: Government Schemes and Programs
Related concepts: BharatNet, Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), State-led Model
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which ministry is primarily responsible for the implementation of the Amended BharatNet Program?
Explanation: The Amended BharatNet Program is implemented by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which comes under the Ministry of Communications. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology handles IT policy, not telecom infrastructure. Rural Development and Home Affairs are not involved in this program.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) in Telangana:
- 1.The program will cover a total of 12,769 Gram Panchayats in Telangana.
- 2.The project will be implemented by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) as the sole implementing agency.
- 3.The Government of India has approved financial support of ₹3,189 crore for this program in Telangana.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: the program covers 12,769 Gram Panchayats. Statement 2 is incorrect: the implementing agency is Telangana Rural Internet Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TRIICL), not BSNL alone; BSNL is a partner. Statement 3 is correct: ₹3,189 crore financial support has been approved. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
What is the total financial support approved by the Government of India for the Amended BharatNet Program in Telangana?
Explanation: The Government of India approved financial support of ₹3,189 crore for the Amended BharatNet Program in Telangana.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of the Amended BharatNet Program?
Explanation: The Amended BharatNet Program aims to upgrade, consolidate and expand the existing BharatNet network to ensure robust broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and villages on demand. Providing mobile connectivity in urban areas is not its objective. Telecom towers in cities and satellite internet for defence are separate initiatives.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the Amended BharatNet Program?
It is a Central government program approved on 4 August 2023 to upgrade, consolidate and expand the BharatNet network to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and villages on demand.
2. How much financial support has been approved for Telangana under this program?
The Government of India has approved financial support of ₹3,189 crore for the Amended BharatNet Program in Telangana.
3. Which agency will implement the Amended BharatNet Program in Telangana?
The program will be implemented by Telangana Rural Internet Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TRIICL), in partnership with BSNL and T-Fibre.
4. What is Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)?
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), formerly the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), is an attached office of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). USOF was established under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003; under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 the USOF was renamed Digital Bharat Nidhi to continue supporting universal telecom service.
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- Original6 November 2026 · Read story
