In the Union Budget 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a significant step towards digital inclusion—broadband connectivity for public schools in rural areas under the Bharatnet Project.
Key Highlights
- Broadband Expansion: The initiative will bring high-speed internet to schools in villages, bridging the digital divide.
- Bharatnet Progress: As of December 2024, 6.92 lakh km of optical fibre has been laid, with 2.14 lakh gram panchayats now service-ready.
- Satellite Solutions: Remote areas will receive connectivity via satellite-based internet solutions.
Impact on Education
- Improved E-Learning: Schools will gain access to digital resources, online classes, and educational tools.
- Bridging the Rural-Urban Gap: Equal opportunities for students in villages to benefit from technology-driven education.
- Support for NEP 2020: Strengthens the policy’s vision of tech-enabled learning.
Beneficiaries of Bharatnet Initiative
Companies expected to play a key role in execution include Tejas Networks, HFCL, Railtel, and ITI, which could see potential growth through this expansion.
The initiative marks a major step in digital education, ensuring that students in rural India are not left behind in the digital age.
