India Mobile Congress 2025: Step Towards Self-Reliant Bharat

Evolving as a global digital powerhouse, India is focused on creating a self-reliant digital economy, promoting grassroots manufacturing, and nurturing startups. Under the theme “From Innovation to Transformation: Building a Self-Reliant Bharat,” the event showcased how India will leapfrog into the future of telecom, connectivity and digital sovereignty. This blog will provide you with all the information about the India Mobile Congress 2025 event, an initiative for progressive technological transformation and a significant platform for India’s digital aspirations.

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What is the India Mobile Congress?

IMC (India Mobile Congress) is Asia’s largest digital technology event, combining a global conference with an exhibition, organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). The event was held at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre (New Delhi, India) from 8 October 2025 to 11 October 2025. It emphasises the development of infrastructure, sustainability and society through advancements in technology, telecom and communication. The event brings together innovators, startups, investors, telecom industry partners, and researchers to collaborate and work towards strengthening India’s technology in AI, 5G, 6G, satellite communications, cybersecurity, electronics, and quantum computing. It supports advanced infrastructure, digital inclusion, and electronics manufacturing, a Viksit Bharat initiative.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the 9th edition, emphasising India’s preparedness to welcome global investment, promote innovation, and enhance its presence in the global digital order. Also, he added, “In India today, one gigabyte (1 GB) of mobile data costs less than a cup of tea.”

Main Highlights and Milestones-

The Indian government reiterated its promise to enhance digital infrastructure across the country:

• Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that BSNL towers will be modernised to 5G in the next 6–8 months, constituting a big boost to state-owned telecom modernisation.
• In the 2025 edition, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia declared that the cost of mobile data in India has dropped by 98% since 2014, and low-cost connectivity is now a reality for more than 1.2 billion subscribers—a fifth of the world’s mobile population. 
• Top companies like TCS showcased next-gen network offerings integrating 5G/6G with AI for industry verticals, highlighting how telecom is getting deeply integrated with core sectors.
• IMC 2025 provided “IMC Aspire” and the “Startup World Cup” platforms for early-stage innovators to pitch, connect, and scale.
• The IMC had over 1,500 exhibitors and hosted over 1.5 lakh visitors from 150 countries, portraying India’s international reputation for tech innovation.
• Minister Scindia attributed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision in utilising digital connectivity as a force for equity and opportunity, pointing out that 99.9% of Indian districts are now covered by 5G service and broadband subscribers have reached 944 million.
• Indigenous technology innovations were the clincher, with one lakh 4G towers made locally grabbing attention, pointing to how India has transitioned from “Made in India, for India” to “Made in India, for the world”.
• Companies such as Reliance Jio, Airtel, BSNL, Ericsson, Qualcomm, TCS, Nokia, Samsung, and many startups have participated in the event.
• The Production Linked Incentive scheme was touted as having produced Rs 91,000 crore of output, Rs 18,000 crore in exports, and created 30,000 jobs.
• Panels discussing issues such as “Gen AI & the Future of Enterprises,” “Edge Intelligence,” and “Responsible AI & Network Governance” charted vision paths for India’s digital future.

How will IMC 2025 impact various Industries?

• Telecom & Connectivity: Telecom companies will gain from increased infrastructure, cheaper data, and the deployment of 5G and future 6G networks, providing faster, more stable connectivity to billions. Developments in local hardware, including indigenous 4G towers and the Bharat 6G Alliance, will turn India into a digital solutions and telecom technology exporter to the world.
• Information Technology & Startups: IT companies and startups have the potential to benefit from the high demand for sophisticated technologies like AI, IoT, and cloud. The Startup World Cup and policy initiatives at IMC support a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem, which induces new startups to create scalable platforms in areas like business, security, healthcare, agriculture, and education.
• Manufacturing & Production: With growing incentives under the Production Linked Incentive scheme, electronics and device producers in India will experience more investment, production, and employment opportunities. Domestic innovations will propel self-reliance, make India a key hardware hub, and increase technology exports globally.
• Satellite & Space Communication: The emphasis on satellite technologies and increasing digital reach in land, sea, and space will drive growth in logistics, shipping, aviation, and remote operations, creating new value propositions for traditional and new industries.
• Banking, Healthcare, & Services: Increased digital infrastructure will ease payment systems, facilitate telemedicine, and provide high-speed connectivity easily available, enhancing service delivery, financial inclusion, and overall efficiency in the core sectors.
• Agriculture & Rural Industries: With 99.9% of districts having 5G coverage and increasing reach of broadband, rural enterprises and farms will have access to real-time market intelligence, precision agriculture, and tech-enabled solutions, bridging gaps and empowering domestic enterprise.

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Future of 6G Deployment in India-

• India’s 6G vision is to attain global leadership by acquiring 10% of global 6G patents under the Bharat 6G Alliance.
• The government is making large investments in research, innovation, and academic-industry partnerships to expedite 6G technology development.
• 6G promises ultra-high-speed connectivity with extremely low latency, supporting breakthrough applications such as holographic communication, autonomous vehicles, and smart infrastructure.
• Indigenous production of 6G components is focused on developing a strong supply chain and decreasing dependency on imports.
• 6G integration with AI, IoT, and quantum computing technologies will foster wiser, more dynamic networks and services.
• Policies and regulatory regimes are being designed to enable fast 6G adoption in urban and rural India.
• 6G deployment will notably accelerate digital inclusion, economic growth, and global competitiveness by 2030.
• IMC 2025 displayed India’s readiness and strategic roadmap to become the leader in the next generation of wireless.

Conclusion-

The India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 was a milestone event that marked India’s emergence as a global digital power. The event showcased India’s path-breaking steps towards achieving a self-reliant digital economy, encouraging indigenous production, and fostering startups and research ecosystems. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address celebrated India’s journey from limited connectivity to cutting-edge digital transformation, powered by a talented youth and supportive government policies. IMC 2025 not only showcased India’s current technological achievements but also set a clear roadmap for future leadership in global digital innovation, inclusion, and sustainable growth.

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