India targets 100 crore 5G users by 2030 as Scindia unveils IMC 2026 theme

New Delhi: India’s biggest telecom and technology showcase is thinking bigger than ever. With the theme ‘Scale without boundaries’, the 10th edition of India Mobile Congress will focus on taking home-grown innovation beyond pilot projects and into global markets, reflecting the country’s ambition to become a leading force in digital technologies.

Union minister for communications and development of north eastern region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia unveiled the theme on Wednesday ahead of the event, which will be held from October 7 to 10 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi.

The theme reflects India’s vision of building a digital ecosystem where technology, connectivity and innovation move beyond traditional boundaries to create impact across industries, communities and geographies. Organisers say the focus will be on scaling technologies from experimentation to widespread adoption through collaboration between government, industry, startups, academia and consumers.

The launch ceremony was attended by union minister of state for communications and rural development Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani as guest of honour, while Amit Agrawal, secretary at the Department of Telecommunications, was present as special guest.

This year’s event has been structured around four pillars that together define its vision for India’s digital future.

Srishti will focus on innovation and next-generation digital infrastructure, while Suraksha will centre on building secure and trusted digital ecosystems. Sashakt aims to highlight how technology can expand opportunities for citizens, businesses and startups through inclusive digital access. Samvardhan will showcase the role of digital technologies in driving investment, entrepreneurship, employment and economic growth.

The four themes will underpin discussions on emerging technologies including 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, cloud and edge computing, satellite communications, electronics manufacturing, quantum technologies and green technologies.

Speaking at the launch, Ministry of Communications union minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said India had progressed from “connecting the next billion” to “enabling the next billion possibilities”, adding that the new theme reflects the country’s ambition to ensure technologies developed in India reach global markets and communities.

He added that India is increasingly becoming a nation that designs, develops and scales technologies for the world, pointing to indigenous telecom technologies, work on 6G standards and digital public platforms as examples of the country’s transition from “Vocal for Local” to “Local for Global” under the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Echoing that sentiment, Ministry of Communications union minister of state Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said the past decade had been transformational for India’s telecom sector and described the India Mobile Congress as a platform where government, startups and investors come together to showcase innovation and build partnerships.

Meanwhile, Department of Telecommunications secretary Amit Agrawal said the landmark edition would adopt a broader strategy to showcase India’s telecom achievements to the world as the event marks its tenth anniversary.

Organised jointly by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India, IMC 2026 will bring together global technology companies, telecom operators, policymakers, startups, investors, researchers and innovators under one roof.

Alongside conferences and keynote sessions, the event will feature technology demonstrations, product launches, investment opportunities and policy discussions. The flagship startup initiative ASPIRE will continue to provide early-stage technology companies with opportunities to engage with investors, incubators, accelerators and industry leaders.

The organisers also intend to shift the conversation beyond showcasing innovation towards exploring how new technologies can be integrated into everyday life at scale. The emphasis will be on building resilient digital ecosystems that strengthen industries, create jobs and improve access to technology.

The previous edition underlined the event’s growing international profile, attracting more than 1.4 lakh visitors, 860 exhibitors and delegates from 101 countries. It featured 1,500 technology use cases, 465 startups and 918 speakers across 113 sessions. As India Mobile Congress enters its second decade, the focus is no longer simply on connecting people, but on ensuring Indian technology connects with the world.