New Delhi: In a transformative step toward boosting telecom awareness and digital empowerment, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has officially launched the Sanchar Mitra Scheme across India. The initiative, which taps into the enthusiasm and potential of India’s youth, aims to train student volunteers — now designated as Sanchar Mitras — to act as digital ambassadors, raising awareness on telecom safety, cyber fraud prevention, and responsible digital practices.
The inaugural outreach session of this nationwide initiative was organized by Assam LSA (License Service Area), a field unit of the DoT, on 11 July 2025 at BSNL Bhawan, Guwahati. The event brought together representatives from 18 leading engineering institutions in Assam, including IIT Guwahati, NIT Silchar, IIIT Guwahati, and other government and private colleges, to kickstart this strategic engagement.
High-Level Participation and Visionary Goals
The session was chaired by Ms. Sunita Chandra, Advisor at the Office of DG Telecom, who emphasized the program’s core objective: to bridge the communication gap between telecom initiatives and the public by harnessing the youthful energy of students. “We aim to build a link between citizens and the digital ecosystem by making students our partners in progress,” she stated.
Shri Suresh Puri, Additional Director General and Head of Assam LSA, presented the scheme’s foundation — Connect, Educate, Innovate — explaining how Sanchar Mitras would enhance digital literacy and create a more informed society.
Shri Hemendra Kumar Sharma, DDG (Media), DoT, elaborated on the critical need for telecom literacy, given India’s expanding digital footprint and rising incidents of cyber fraud, misinformation, and misuse of digital platforms. He noted the importance of “taking awareness to the grassroots,” making the role of Sanchar Mitras crucial in building digital resilience.
Sanchar Mitra Scheme: Empowering the Yuva Shakti
Originally piloted in select colleges, the Sanchar Mitra Scheme has now been expanded nationwide under the leadership of Union Minister for Communications Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia. Describing the scheme as a powerful tool aligned with India’s strengths in Democracy, Demography, Digitization, and Delivery, Shri Scindia positioned the scheme as a visionary effort to build a responsible, skilled, and cyber-aware population.
Key features of the Sanchar Mitra Scheme include:
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Participation of students from domains such as telecom, electronics, computer science, and cybersecurity.
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Hands-on training provided by experts from DoT, the National Communications Academy–Technology (NCA-T), and industry leaders.
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Engagement in community outreach, cyber awareness campaigns, and EMF radiation education.
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Exposure to next-generation technologies like 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity frameworks.
Opportunities for Innovation and Recognition
The scheme doesn’t stop at awareness building. It fosters innovation and leadership among students by evaluating their impact and offering rewards such as:
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Internships with the DoT
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Participation in flagship events like India Mobile Congress
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Collaboration on national telecom projects
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Exposure to international policy and telecom standards (e.g., ITU engagements)
Strong Academic Interest and Future Plans
The response from academic institutions has been overwhelmingly positive. Faculty and student leaders at the session expressed interest in becoming early adopters of the initiative, recognizing its dual benefit of civic contribution and professional skill development.
Moving forward, each DoT field unit across India will coordinate with local colleges to nominate Sanchar Mitras and organize outreach drives in their respective regions. The mission is to embed telecom awareness deeply within the social fabric, empowering every citizen to use digital tools wisely and securely.
Conclusion
The Sanchar Mitra Scheme represents a paradigm shift in India’s approach to telecom education and citizen empowerment. By aligning the energy of students with the vision of a digitally safe and inclusive India, the DoT has created a scalable model for grassroots digital transformation. As India marches toward its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, Sanchar Mitras will be the torchbearers lighting the path to a secure, informed, and tech-enabled society.
Source: PIB
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