India Steps Up 6G Push, Targets 10 pc Share of Global Standards and Patents

New Delhi, Oct 6: India is stepping up efforts to play a bigger role in shaping the next generation of wireless technology, with the country targeting a 10 per cent share of global 6G standards and patents and seeking greater participation in international standard-setting.

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said India is moving beyond its earlier role as a technology adopter and is increasingly seeking to contribute to the technologies and standards that will define the future of mobile communications.

The shift is significant as 6G is expected to connect not only smartphones and computers, but also machines, vehicles, sensors, robots and other intelligent systems. The technology is being developed around areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced connectivity, low-latency communication, sensing and edge computing.

From technology adopter to standard-setter

Speaking recently at the IFQM Symposium 2026, Scindia highlighted the importance of quality, innovation and standardisation in strengthening India's position in the global technology ecosystem.

He noted that India had largely adopted international telecom standards during the 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G eras. With 6G, however, India is seeking a more active role in the global standardisation process.

For India, participation in standard-setting is important because global standards influence how networks, devices and telecom equipment operate across countries. Greater involvement could also give Indian companies and researchers more opportunities to take their technologies to international markets.

India's 6G ecosystem is expanding

The country's Bharat 6G Vision, released in 2023, aims to make India a front-line contributor in the design, development and deployment of 6G technology by 2030.

The Bharat 6G Alliance has also grown into a broad industry-academia platform. As of July 2026, the alliance had 90 member organisations, including telecom operators, equipment manufacturers, startups, research institutions and academic organisations.

The alliance is working through seven specialised areas covering 6G technologies, spectrum, applications, use cases, devices and manufacturing, sustainability and outreach.

India's research and intellectual-property base is also expanding. Members of the Bharat 6G Alliance collectively hold more than 7,700 patent filings related to 5G and 6G technologies, including more than 4,400 foreign filings.

Greater participation in global telecom standards

India's involvement in international standardisation has increased significantly in recent years. The number of Indian participants in the 3GPP standardisation process rose from 717 in 2020 to 1,787 in 2025, while Indian technical contributions increased from 196 to 2,943 during the same period, according to government data.

This growing participation could help Indian innovations, technology requirements and use cases gain greater representation in future global 6G standards.

The government has also strengthened financial support for participation in global standardisation. The revised Technology Development and Investment Promotion (TDIP) Scheme has an outlay of Rs 203 crore for 2026-31, supporting global standards participation, indigenous innovation, pilot projects and proof-of-concept initiatives.

Preparing for the technology behind 6G

India is also investing in advanced research infrastructure. A three-year project has been approved to establish a 6G Terahertz testbed at SAMEER, Kolkata, in collaboration with IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati and IIT Patna. A high-data-rate line-of-sight link was demonstrated at India Mobile Congress 2025 under the project.

Such testbeds are expected to help researchers and companies move technologies from laboratories towards practical applications and eventually commercial deployment.

6G could reshape the technology landscape

The importance of 6G goes beyond faster mobile internet. Future networks are expected to support applications involving AI, robotics, autonomous systems, smart manufacturing, immersive digital experiences, connected vehicles and advanced healthcare technologies.

For Indian technology companies and startups, this could create opportunities across telecom equipment, semiconductor design, software, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing.

The technology could also become increasingly important for industries that depend on real-time communication between machines and systems. More responsive networks could support smart factories, connected infrastructure and highly automated industrial operations.

Security will be a key priority

As telecom networks become more deeply connected with critical infrastructure and economic activity, security and resilience are expected to become central to the 6G ecosystem.

India recently endorsed an international Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security, joining 24 countries in supporting open, interoperable, secure and resilient next-generation networks. The initiative also calls for cooperation on research, cybersecurity, supply-chain resilience and global 6G standards.

For India, this international engagement complements its domestic efforts through the Bharat 6G Vision and Bharat 6G Alliance.

Building India's next technology advantage

The 6G journey is still in its early stages, with commercial deployment expected in the 2030s. For India, the current phase is therefore about building the foundations — from research and patents to testing facilities, standards participation, skilled talent and domestic manufacturing.

The country's growing involvement in global standardisation represents a broader shift in its telecom ambitions. Rather than simply adopting technologies developed elsewhere, India is seeking to develop intellectual property, contribute to international standards and build technologies that can compete globally.

With its 10 per cent global 6G standards and patents target, expanding Bharat 6G Alliance, growing patent base and increasing participation in international forums, India is positioning the 6G era as an opportunity to strengthen its presence across the global technology value chain.