India is increasingly confident in its potential to become a major force in global 6G patents, according to recent statements by Union Minister for Telecommunications Jyotiraditya Scindia. Speaking at the India Mobile Congress 2025, Scindia highlighted India's rapid advancements in telecommunications technology and its ambition to contribute significantly to the development of 6G.
Scindia announced that India is already among the top six countries in terms of filing patents for 6G technology. He further stated that India aims to contribute 10% of the total 6G patents when the protocols are finalized, which is expected to occur at the World Radio Communications Conference in 2027. This commitment underscores India's determination to not only adopt but also shape the future of wireless communication.
India has already made significant strides in the 6G arena, with two proposals already accepted. These proposals focus on ubiquitous and equitable connectivity, reflecting India's commitment to ensuring that the benefits of 6G technology are accessible to all. Scindia emphasized that innovation remains central to India's telecom advancements, highlighting the importance of developing cutting-edge, customer-oriented, and service-oriented systems.
The government is actively fostering the development of 6G through several strategic initiatives. These include establishing robust policy frameworks, boosting research funding, and allocating spectrum in a timely manner to facilitate innovation and testing. In March 2023, the government unveiled the Bharat 6G Vision Document, laying the foundation for India's leadership in 6G. To operationalize this vision, the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) was established as a multi-stakeholder platform, uniting academia, industry, startups, and public institutions to create a comprehensive 6G ecosystem.
Scindia emphasized that India is no longer just a consumer of technology but is actively striving to be an architect of the future of technology. This involves capacity building and expanding sovereign capacities in chip design, satellite backhaul, and artificial intelligence (AI)-native networks. He noted that the ripple effects of 6G technology-enabled transformation could add $1.2 trillion to India's gross domestic product (GDP) and transform sectors such as healthcare and agriculture.
India's strength lies in its people, with a significant percentage of global STEM graduates, a thriving startup ecosystem, and partnerships with leading institutions like IITs and IISc. These factors are crucial in shaping the next generation of 6G innovators. The development of the 4G telecom stack by C-DOT in collaboration with TCS and Tejas Networks further demonstrates India's capabilities in indigenous technology development.
While discussions surrounding the standardization of protocols and allocation of frequency spectrum for 6G are ongoing at the World Radiocommunication Conference, India is poised to play a seminal role in these deliberations. India's proactive approach and strategic investments in research and development position it as a key player in the global 6G landscape. The India Mobile Congress 2025, organized by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), is expected to draw significant participation from across the globe, further solidifying India's position in the telecom sector.
