I&B Ministry
No request for TV regulatory body: Swaraj
I&B Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday gave further indication in Parliament that the government was close to mandating on conditional access systems (CAS) as a way to resolve the ongoing dispute between the cable industry and broadcasters. Swaraj’s comment was made as an adjunct to a question on whether the government had received a request to set up a television regulatory body.
The government has received no request for the setting up of a television regulatory body on the lines of the Telecom Authority to regulate the subscription charged by cable operators, Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament), in a written reply.
Swaraj disclosed that there was no legal provision at present to regulate subscriptions by TV cable operators. She, however said the government was examining the feasibility of mandating CAS for pay channel viewing through cable.
Replying to another question, Swaraj said a group of six officials had been constituted by the Prasar Bharati to examine the feasibility of privatisation and joint ventures in national broadcaster Doordarshan’s Metro Channel.
I&B Ministry
India rolls out Rs 203 crore TDIP scheme to boost 6G push
Revised policy widens access for startups, boosts global telecom standards play
NEW DELHI: India is doubling down on its telecom ambitions with a revamped Technology Development and Investment Promotion scheme, designed to help the country move from participant to power player in global standards.
The Ministry of Communications on Tuesday unveiled revised guidelines for the TDIP scheme, committing Rs 203 crore for the 2026 to 2031 period. The move aims to strengthen India’s presence in international telecom forums while accelerating homegrown innovation in next-generation technologies, including 5G Advanced and 6G.
At the launch, Ministry of Communications union minister for communications and development of north eastern region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said the updated framework is intended to give Indian players a stronger voice in shaping global telecom rules.
The scheme focuses heavily on increasing participation in key global bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union, 3GPP and oneM2M. Financial support will be provided for attending international meetings, submitting technical proposals, taking leadership roles, and even hosting global events in India.
The idea is straightforward. If India helps write the rules, its technologies stand a better chance of going global.
Beyond policy rooms and conference tables, the revised scheme casts a wider net across the ecosystem. Startups, MSMEs, academia and research institutions are now explicitly included, opening the door for broader collaboration and faster innovation cycles. Pilot projects, proof-of-concept initiatives and real-world demonstrations will also receive support, helping ideas move from lab to market.
Supporting the rollout will be institutions such as Telecommunications Standards Development Society India, Telecom Centres of Excellence India and Telecommunications Consultants India Limited. These bodies will coordinate efforts, build capacity and ensure industry participation aligns with global opportunities.
The initiative ties in with broader efforts by the Department of Telecommunications, including programmes like the Telecom Technology Development Fund and the Bharat 6G Mission, forming a more cohesive push towards future-ready networks.
Also present at the event were Ministry of Communications minister of state for communications and rural development Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani and Department of Telecommunications secretary (telecommunications) and chairman digital communications commission Amit Agrawal.
With this update, India is not just looking to keep pace with global telecom trends. It is aiming to help define them.
