The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has been named the Global Winner of the WSIS Prize 2026 under Action Line C6 – Enabling Environment for its project Samriddh Gram: Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model Enabled by BharatNet. The award matters because it presents rural telecom infrastructure as a platform for service delivery, not just a channel for internet access.

The recognition was announced at the WSIS Forum 2026 in Geneva. The WSIS Prizes are instituted under the World Summit on the Information Society process led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). They recognise projects that use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for sustainable development.

What Samriddh Gram is

Samriddh Gram is an integrated rural digital transformation initiative of the Department of Telecommunications built on the BharatNet backbone. The model uses village-level Samriddhi Kendras as one-stop hubs that combine telecom connectivity, digital platforms and assisted physical delivery of services.

The initiative is presented as aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of integrated digital services for remote and rural areas. Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said the award reflects global recognition of an inclusive Digital India vision.

Services delivered through the model

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