Department of Telecommunications

May 26, 2026 1:55 PM

PM-WANI gets major upgrade with QR-based login, short-duration plans

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Tuesday introduced a series of citizen-friendly reforms under the PM-WANI (Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) framework aimed at making public Wi-Fi simpler, faster and more accessible across the country. The reforms include QR-based authentication for laptops and secondary devices, introduction of flexible short-duration Wi-Fi plans, and standardisation of PM-WANI hotspot names for easier identification and improved reliability. Un...

March 20, 2026 10:25 PM

DoT invites startups, students for 5G Hackathon with ₹50 lakh funding support

The Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications has launched the second edition of the 5G Innovation Hackathon 2026 to promote next-generation telecom solutions and accelerate digital transformation. The national-level hackathon, organised under the ‘100 5G Use Case Labs’ initiative, aims to encourage the development of innovative and scalable solutions leveraging 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and related technologies. The programme in...

January 6, 2026 3:24 PM

NHAI seeks urgent steps to improve mobile connectivity on National Highways

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has sought urgent intervention from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to address persistent mobile network connectivity gaps across several stretches of National Highways, particularly in greenfield and remote areas. In a communication to DoT and TRAI, NHAI highlighted the public safety risks and strategic importance of ensuring reliable mobile connectivity along highway corridors. It c...

November 17, 2025 3:46 PM

DoT cautions manufacturers and sellers on mandatory IMEI registration; consequences of tampering

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has cautioned manufacturers, brand owners, importers and resellers of telecom equipment, reminding them of mandatory International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) registration requirements and warning of severe penalties for IMEI tampering under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024. According to the DoT, IMEI regulation is critical for safeguarding telecom networks, preventing counterfeit devices and strengthenin...

October 17, 2025 4:31 PM

Jyotiraditya Scindia calls Northeast as India’s ‘Growth Engine,’ showcases major developments in one year

Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday described the Northeast as India’s “growth engine,” highlighting a year of record achievements in investment, infrastructure, governance, and connectivity. He was addressing a joint media briefing on the one-year achievements (August 2024-September 2025) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Department of Posts and Department of Telecommunications. The event,...

September 30, 2025 3:09 PM

Over 6 lakh lost and stolen mobile phones recovered via DoT’s Sanchar Saathi platform

The Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) flagship digital safety initiative Sanchar Saathi has achieved a major milestone, facilitating the recovery of more than 6 lakh lost and stolen mobile phones across India. The Block Your Lost/Stolen Mobile Handset facility, a core feature of the AI-powered Sanchar Saathi platform, integrates DoT, telecom service providers, and state/UT police in real time. Built on the theme Digital by Design, the platform enables citizens to report, block, trace, a...

September 9, 2025 11:55 AM

Sanchar Saathi app hits 50 lakh downloads

The Sanchar Saathi mobile app has crossed 50 lakh downloads as on August 2025 since its launch on 17th January 2025, according to a report. Over 37.28 lakh stolen/lost mobile devices have been successfully blocked and more than 22.76 lakh devices have been traced from the Sanchar Saathi LIVE dashboard. Rising cyber threats have made safeguarding mobile users a pressing national concern. According to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), cybercrime incidents surged from 15,92,91...

May 6, 2025 2:39 PM

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates Bharat Telecom 2025, emphasizes India’s global export potential

Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, inaugurated Bharat Telecom 2025 in New Delhi on Tuesday, highlighting India’s rising profile as a global hub for telecom manufacturing, services, and exports. Organised by the Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the two-day event aims to showcase India's capabilities in telecom equipment and next-generat...

April 3, 2025 1:01 PM

DoT cracks down on spam calls, disconnects 1.75 lakh landline numbers

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has disconnected approximately 1.75 lakh Direct Inward Dialing (DID) and landline telephone numbers found to be engaged in unauthorized promotional and illegal activities. Authorities have observed a surge in spam calls originating from telecom identifiers such as 0731, 079, and 080, often exploiting Primary Rate Interfaces (PRIs), Lease Lines, Internet Lease Lines, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and International Private Leased Circuits (IPLC). Ci...

March 21, 2025 10:38 PM

Telecom fraud: DoT disconnects over 3.4 cr mobiles, blocks 17 lakh WhatsApp accounts

In an effort to combat telecom fraud, the government on Friday said it has disconnected more than 3.4 crore mobile phones while blocking 3.19 lakh IMEI numbers to date through the Sanchar Saathi portal. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said that with the help of AI and Big Data, it also disengaged 16.97 lakh WhatsApp accounts. Over 20,000 bulk SMS senders were also blacklisted as part of DoT's ‘Sanchar Saathi’ initiative, said Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for C...