New Delhi: The Ministry of Communications, through the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has officially launched the Sanchar Mitra Scheme across India, positioning student volunteers as ‘Digital Ambassadors’ to champion telecom literacy and responsible digital practices.
Assam LSA — DoT’s regional office — hosted the inaugural session of this national rollout at BSNL Bhawan, Guwahati. The gathering included representatives from top-tier institutions such as IIT, IIIT, and NIT. The session’s focus was onboarding these institutions and students into the initiative, aimed at bridging gaps between citizens and India’s telecom ecosystem.
Addressing the event, Sunita Chandra, Advisor to the Office of DG Telecom, emphasised the critical role of young talent in enhancing public access to telecom services:
"This initiative is about building meaningful connections between government efforts, telecom services, and the public. Our goal is to empower users while tapping into the energy and creativity of India’s youth."
The scheme operates on three core pillars, as outlined by Suresh Puri, Additional Director General, Assam LSA:
- Connect citizens with telecom services.
- Educate on digital safety, cyber fraud, EMF awareness, and responsible usage.
- Innovate through student-led ideas and solutions.
Hemendra Kumar Sharma, Deputy Director General (Media), highlighted the scheme’s broader impact — supporting India’s journey from technology consumer to global technology leader.
Launched by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, the Sanchar Mitra Scheme has evolved from a pilot into a full-scale national movement. Selected students will undergo structured training via the National Communications Academy-Technology (NCA-T) and DoT’s Media Wing. Training modules will cover advanced topics like 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
Top-performing Sanchar Mitras will receive exclusive opportunities including internships, national project participation, and representation at prestigious platforms like India Mobile Congress.
Through this initiative, India reaffirms its commitment to building a digitally empowered society, aligning with the nation's focus on Democracy, Demography, Digitisation, and Delivery.