Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre on Wednesday, as Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia declared that India has moved from being a “technology taker” to the “digital flag bearer of the world.”
The four-day forum (October 8-11) brings together global telecom and technology stakeholders, innovators and investors to debate and demonstrate the next phase of India’s digital economy.
Jyotiraditya Scindia: From “technology follower” to scale at population level
In a keynote address, Scindia said India’s telecom market has undergone a decisive shift over the past decade, driven by affordability, reach and digital public infrastructure (DPI). He cited a 98% drop in mobile data prices over 11 years, down from ₹287 per GB in 2014 to ₹9.11 per GB today, alongside near-universal coverage.
According to the minister, 99.9% of districts are now connected by 5G, India is home to about 20% of the world’s mobile users with 1.2 billion subscribers, and broadband subscriptions have expanded from 60 million in 2014 to 944 million. He also referenced 365 million subscribers to underscore the country’s scale advantage.
DPI as a global benchmark
Positioning digital rails as India’s competitive edge, Scindia pointed to the “trinity” of JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile), DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) and UPI as pillars of inclusion and instant service delivery. He said around 20 countries are in active discussions to adopt India’s DPI model, framing it as a template for both financial interoperability and last-mile governance.
Startup World Cup lands at IMC
IMC 2025 is also hosting the Startup World Cup (India edition), with 550 companies pitching to 300 venture capital and private equity investors. Of these, 15 startups will be shortlisted to compete at the global finale in San Francisco for a USD 1 million prize. Scindia expressed confidence in India’s startup talent as the competition unfolds on the sidelines of the congress.
The scale of IMC 2025
Organisers expect over 1.5 lakh visitors from more than 150 countries, and 7,000 global delegates across sessions, with 400+ exhibitors and partners occupying 42,000 sq. m of showcase space.
The technology spread includes over 1,600 new use-cases across 5G and 6G networks, AI, electronics manufacturing, green tech, cybersecurity, semiconductors, quantum computing and smart mobility, with about 800 AI-based use-cases slated for display. The event’s footprint has grown markedly since its debut in 2017 (32,000 attendees), with over 1.75 lakh visitors recorded in 2024.
Key numbers at a glance
- Data cost: ₹287/GB (2014) → ₹9.11/GB today (−98%).
- Coverage: 99.9% of districts connected by 5G.
- Subscriptions: 1.2 billion mobile subscribers; broadband 944 million.
- Startup World Cup: 550 companies, 300 VCs/PEs; 15 to global stage; USD 1 million top prize.
- IMC 2025 footprint: 1.5 lakh+ visitors, 150+ countries, 7,000 delegates, 400+ exhibitors, 1,600+ use-cases, 800 AI use-cases.
The minister’s pitch foregrounds three levers, affordability, reach and public digital rails, as the basis of India’s telecom and fintech scale. With 5G coverage near-universal at the district level and DPI drawing interest from foreign governments, IMC 2025 doubles as both a technology showcase and a signal of India’s intent to export digital standards.
The Startup World Cup’s presence, meanwhile, channels investor attention to home-grown product builders at a time when enterprise adoption of AI, trustworthy payments and secure connectivity are converging.
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