The Department of Telecommunications has rolled out the Sanchar Mitra Scheme across India, transforming a successful pilot into a full-scale national initiative aimed at mobilising student volunteers as digital ambassadors. The scheme was formally expanded during an interactive session held at BSNL Bhawan in Guwahati, where representatives from premier engineering institutions including IIT, IIIT, NIT and other colleges across Assam participated. The session was chaired by Advisor Sunita Chandra from the office of DG Telecom, New Delhi, with presentations delivered by Additional Director General and Head of Assam LSA Suresh Puri and Deputy Director General (Media) and Spokesperson Hemendra Kumar Sharma.
The Sanchar Mitra Scheme is built on three pillars: Connect, Educate, and Innovate. It seeks to bridge the gap between citizens and the telecom ecosystem by engaging youth in grassroots awareness campaigns. Student volunteers, designated as Sanchar Mitras, will be trained to promote digital literacy, responsible mobile usage, cyber fraud prevention, and awareness about electromagnetic field radiation. They will also act as catalysts for informed digital behaviour in their communities.
The scheme offers structured exposure to cutting-edge telecom technologies including 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security. Sanchar Mitras will receive training from experts in the field and from the National Communications Academy–Technology and DoT’s Media Wing. Participating institutions will be identified in consultation with local DoT field units, and students from relevant academic backgrounds such as telecom, electronics, computer science and cyber security will be nominated.
Sanchar Mitras will engage with communities, NGOs and local stakeholders to carry out awareness drives and promote secure and inclusive telecom usage. Their performance will be periodically assessed based on innovation, consistency and outreach impact. Outstanding performers may be offered internships, involvement in national telecom projects, participation in high-level forums such as the India Mobile Congress, and opportunities to engage with ITU standards and policy work.
Union Minister for Communications and Development of North East Region Jyotiraditya Scindia had earlier launched the revamped scheme, describing it as a vision that symbolises India’s leadership in Democracy, Demography, Digitisation and Delivery. The scheme reflects India’s transition from a consumer to a provider of advanced telecom services and products, and underscores the importance of public awareness in safeguarding citizens from digital frauds and misinformation.
The nationwide rollout of the Sanchar Mitra Scheme marks a strategic step toward building a digitally aware, skilled and research-oriented youth workforce, and reinforces India’s ambition to become a global hub for telecom research, development and manufacturing.
