Overview of the Sanchar Mitra Scheme
The Sanchar Mitra Scheme has emerged as a groundbreaking initiative aimed at engaging student volunteers as digital ambassadors. This program, launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), seeks to bridge the communication gap between citizens and the telecom ecosystem. The scheme is designed to harness the energy and services of young students from universities and colleges, creating a network of informed individuals who can promote digital literacy and awareness.
Interactive Session with Engineering Institutions
An interactive session was recently held in Guwahati at BSNL Bhawan, where representatives from premier engineering institutions such as IIT, IIIT, NIT, and other colleges across Assam participated. The event was convened by the field office of the Department of Telecommunications and aimed to inform and expand the newly launched Sanchar Mitra Scheme. The session was chaired by Sunita Chandra, Advisor, DG Telecom, New Delhi, who emphasized the importance of building a bridge between DoT initiatives, telecom services, and various citizen-centric efforts.
Launch and Expansion of the Scheme
Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North East Region, launched the revamped Sanchar Mitra Scheme. This marked a significant transformation of the initiative from a pilot project into a robust, scalable, and incentive-driven national movement. The scheme is designed to mobilize the power of India's Yuva Shakti—student volunteers—to become informed ambassadors of telecom awareness, cybersecurity, and digital empowerment.
Vision and Objectives
Scindia described the scheme as a vision that symbolizes India's leadership in the four Ds: Democracy, Demography, Digitisation, and Delivery. Initially piloted in select institutions, the Sanchar Mitra Scheme has now been scaled up for nationwide implementation following an enthusiastic response and promising impact during its pilot phase.
Roles and Responsibilities of Sanchar Mitras
Under this scheme, student volunteers designated as Sanchar Mitras will be empowered to raise awareness among the public about key telecom issues such as digital safety, cyber fraud prevention, and EMF radiation concerns. They will also promote responsible mobile usage and digital literacy. The expanded Sanchar Mitra Scheme aims not only to enhance public awareness but also to provide participating students with exposure to cutting-edge telecom technologies, including 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity.
Training and Development Opportunities
Participating institutions will be identified in consultation with local DoT field units, and students from relevant academic backgrounds—telecom, electronics, computer science, and cyber security—will be nominated as Sanchar Mitras. These volunteers will receive necessary training from experts in the field and from the National Communications Academy-Technology (NCA-T) and the DoT's Media Wing. Sanchar Mitras will carry out grassroots-level awareness drives, engage with communities and NGOs, and act as catalysts for informed digital behavior in their surroundings.
Encouragement and Recognition
To encourage excellence, participants will be assessed periodically based on innovation, consistency, and the impact of their outreach. Outstanding performers may be offered exclusive opportunities, including internships, involvement in national telecom projects, participation in high-level forums such as the India Mobile Congress, and engagement with ITU standards and policy work. This structured approach ensures that the Sanchar Mitra Scheme continues to foster a digitally aware, skilled, and research-oriented youth workforce.