The 10th India Mobile Congress places India’s next phase of digital transformation at the intersection of 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, electronics manufacturing and digital inclusion. As the country moves from expanding connectivity to building and scaling technology, IMC 2026 signals a broader ambition: to participate more actively in the global technology value chain.
Key Takeaways
- 5G connectivity has reached every district, with more than 5.5 lakh 5G base stations operating across India, according to the Prime Minister's remarks at IMC 2026. [1]
- IMC 2026 goes beyond telecom, covering 6G, AI networks, semiconductors, satellite connectivity, quantum communication, cybersecurity and electronics manufacturing. [2]
- The four-day event brings together participants from more than 100 countries, with over 1.5 lakh attendees, 500 partners and exhibitors, 600 startups and 900 thought leaders expected. [2]
- India's policy focus is increasingly shifting from expanding digital access towards developing, manufacturing and scaling technology for domestic and global markets. [3]
A decade of India Mobile Congress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10th edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, on October 8. Organised jointly by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the four-day event is being held from October 7 to 10 under the theme “Scale Without Boundaries.” [1][2]
According to the Ministry of Communications, the theme reflects India's ambition to take technology and connectivity beyond traditional boundaries and enable their adoption across sectors, communities and regions. [3] The event has evolved into a major platform bringing together technology companies, telecom operators, startups, investors, policymakers, researchers and innovators. The government expects more than 1.5 lakh participants from over 100 countries, alongside 500-plus partners and exhibitors, 600 startups and 900 thought leaders. More than 2,000 technology use cases and 120 sessions are also planned. [2]
From 5G expansion to the next technology cycle
One of the strongest messages from this year's Congress is the scale of India's 5G expansion.
Prime Minister Modi said at the inauguration that 5G connectivity has reached every district in India, with more than 5.5 lakh 5G base stations now operating across the country. He also highlighted the role of digital connectivity in expanding access to education, healthcare and government services. [4]
Akashvani reported that the Prime Minister described the mobile phone as having evolved beyond a communication device into an important instrument of governance and public service delivery. [4] The Ministry of Communications has separately reported that India has crossed 1.01 billion broadband subscribers and more than one billion internet subscribers, while 5G services cover 99.9% of districts and reach around 85% of the population. [5]
This expansion provides the infrastructure for the next phase of India's digital economy. The policy challenge is increasingly shifting from connecting people to ensuring that the infrastructure enables greater productivity, innovation and economic activity.
6G, AI and emerging digital infrastructure
IMC 2026 places 5G and 6G, next-generation AI networks, semiconductors, non-terrestrial networks, cybersecurity, quantum communication, enterprise transformation, circular economy and ESG, and electronics manufacturing among its principal areas of focus. [2]. The event has also expanded into four newer areas: smart mobility, stadium experiences, industrial robotics and transport technology. [2]. The widening agenda reflects the growing convergence between telecommunications and other parts of the economy. Networks are increasingly becoming infrastructure for artificial intelligence, connected devices, industrial automation, mobility and digital public services. The government's stated objective is not simply to demonstrate emerging technologies but to examine how they can be integrated, scaled and translated into real-world outcomes. [3]
This makes the transition from 5G to 6G particularly significant. India's role in the next generation of connectivity will depend not only on network deployment but also on research, standards, intellectual property, indigenous technology and international collaboration.
From technology consumer to technology producer
A central theme of IMC 2026 is India's changing position in the global technology ecosystem.
In announcing this year's theme, the Ministry of Communications said India's telecom journey is moving from “connecting the next billion” to “enabling the next billion possibilities.” It also highlighted India's ambition to take technologies, standards and solutions developed in the country to global markets. [3]
This represents a broader policy shift.
India has traditionally been recognised as a major technology-services economy and one of the world's largest digital markets. The government's current emphasis is increasingly on product development, electronics manufacturing, indigenous telecom technology and global technology exports. [3][5]
The implications extend beyond telecommunications. A stronger domestic ecosystem can support research and development, manufacturing, startups, skilled employment and technology exports while strengthening India's position in global supply chains.
The transition, however, will require sustained investment in research, infrastructure, skills and commercialisation so that innovations can move from demonstrations to competitive products and services.
Startups and investment
Startups form another important component of IMC 2026.
More than 600 startups are participating, while the event's flagship startup programme, ASPIRE, is designed to connect emerging technology companies with investors, incubators, accelerators, industry leaders and potential partners. The Ministry of Communications has also highlighted more than 700 investor meetings as part of the event. [3][5]. For India's digital economy, this ecosystem is increasingly important. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, Internet of Things, robotics, satellite communications and quantum technologies require entrepreneurial ecosystems capable of translating research into commercial applications. IMC can therefore serve as a bridge between policy, capital and innovation, provided promising technologies are able to move beyond pilot projects and achieve commercial scale.
Digital inclusion remains central
The expansion of advanced technology is taking place alongside a continuing emphasis on affordability and inclusion. Ahead of IMC 2026, Prime Minister Modi interacted with members of the GSMA Board and stressed that technology should become a tool for inclusive and sustainable development. He specifically highlighted the importance of affordable and accessible digital services for the Global South and the potential of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for developing countries. [6] The government's emphasis on inclusion is particularly relevant as India moves into more advanced technologies. The benefits of AI, 5G, digital platforms and connected infrastructure will depend on whether they can reach smaller businesses, rural communities and populations that remain underserved. In this sense, India's digital transformation is being shaped by two parallel objectives: building frontier technology and ensuring broad-based access to it.
The trust challenge
Greater digital connectivity also creates new risks. Cyber fraud, network security and responsible technology deployment are becoming central concerns as more economic and public activity moves online. During his interaction with GSMA representatives, the Prime Minister highlighted the growing challenge of digital and cyber fraud and called for technology-driven solutions as well as sustained public awareness. [6] Trust has consequently been incorporated directly into the architecture of IMC 2026. The event's four pillars are Srishti - Building the Future; Samvardhan- Fueling Growth; Sashakt -Expanding Opportunities; and Suraksha - Strengthening Trust. [2][3] This emphasis reflects an important policy reality: the scale of India's digital economy will increasingly depend not only on connectivity and affordability but also on the security and reliability of the underlying infrastructure.
What IMC 2026 signals for India's digital economy
The significance of the 10th India Mobile Congress lies in the transition it represents.
India has spent the past decade dramatically expanding digital connectivity. The next phase will require the country to translate that connectivity into innovation, productivity, manufacturing, exports and globally competitive technology capabilities. The official framing of IMC 2026 reflects this shift. The Ministry of Communications describes the event as moving beyond technology demonstrations towards the integration, adoption and scaling of solutions across sectors and markets. [3] For policymakers and industry, the priorities are therefore becoming increasingly interconnected: developing 6G capabilities, strengthening electronics and telecom manufacturing, supporting startups, expanding AI-enabled networks, securing digital infrastructure and building international technology partnerships.
The theme “Scale Without Boundaries” captures this next phase of India's digital journey. The first challenge was to connect the next billion. The emerging challenge is to determine how that connectivity can power the next generation of businesses, public services, industrial systems and technological innovation.
IMC 2026 is therefore not simply a telecom exhibition. It offers a snapshot of India's evolving ambition to become not only a major market for digital technologies, but also a developer, manufacturer and global partner in the technologies shaping the next decade.
References:
[1] Press Information Bureau, Prime Minister's Office, Government of India. “Prime Minister to inaugurate 10th edition of India Mobile Congress on 8 October.” 7 October 2026.
[2] Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Communications, Government of India. “Union Minister of Communications Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia Reviews Final Preparations for IMC 2026 at Yashobhoomi.” 5 October 2026.
[3] Press Informati on Bureau, Ministry of Communications, Government of India. “Union Minister of Communications Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia Unveils Theme for 10th Edition of India Mobile Congress 2026: ‘Scale Without Boundaries’.” 29 July 2026.
[4] Akashvani / News On AIR. “PM Modi inaugurates the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress.” 8 October 2026.
[5] Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Communications, Government of India. “Union Minister of Communications Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia Reviews Final Preparations for IMC 2026 at Yashobhoomi.” 5 October 2026.
[6] Akashvani / News On AIR. “PM Modi to inaugurate 10th India Mobile Congress in New Delhi today.” 8 October 2026.
