New Delhi: India’s broadband subscriber base has surged from around 60 million to 1 billion over the past decade, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday, describing the expansion as a major transformation of the country’s digital landscape.

Addressing the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 in New Delhi, Scindia said India now has among the world’s cheapest mobile data, with the average cost of 1 GB at around Rs 8.

“Every drop in cost, every increase in usage, has expanded that canvas in which every single Indian can connect, can create, and can innovate,” Scindia said.

The minister said India’s ambition is now to move from being a technology standards taker to becoming a standards setter, particularly in next-generation telecommunications.

“We were behind in 4G, with the world in 5G and we will lead in 6G,” he said.

Scindia said India had achieved in a decade what could have taken other countries considerably longer, highlighting the expansion of telecommunications and digital connectivity.

“PM Modi gave us a vision in 2014 that India would be connected and would lead in design in the future,” Scindia said.

He also referred to October 7 as a significant date for India, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had completed 25 years as a head of government.

“October 7th will remain a significant day in the history of our nation. It is a privilege for us citizens that yesterday (October 7th) marked the completion of 25 years of service as Head of Government by PM Modi,” he said.

Scindia said Modi’s 25-year political journey had been guided by the philosophy that “Work is worship”.

He recalled that Modi had presented, in 2014, a vision of an India that would be connected, defined by design and positioned to take a leadership role in technology.

“What India's telecom and digital fraternity has achieved under the Prime Minister's leadership over this single decade is something that might have taken many other nations centuries to accomplish,” Scindia said.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi for the inauguration of the 10th edition of India Mobile Congress. Scindia felicitated the Prime Minister on his arrival ahead of the inaugural programme.

The 10th edition of IMC is being held from October 7 to 10 at Yashobhoomi. It is organised by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India.