The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), National Communications Academy (NCA), and the GSM Association (GSMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 in New Delhi, in the presence of Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Secretary (Telecom) Dr Neeraj Mittal.

The MoU was formally signed by Mr Vivek Badrinath, Director General, GSMA, and Mr Atul Sinha, Director General, NCA. Also present were Mr John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA, and Mr Julian Gorman, Head of APAC, GSMA.

The agreement sets a broad framework for collaboration between NCA and GSMA in the fields of policy development, research, training, and capacity building in the telecommunications sector. The initiative aims to reinforce India’s Digital India vision by enhancing institutional capabilities, promoting regulatory best practices, and accelerating the adoption of next-generation technologies to drive sustainable digital transformation.

Under this partnership, NCA and GSMA will jointly:

• Conduct research, analysis, and training programmes to promote digital inclusion, sustainability, and socio-economic development, with a focus on bridging the digital divide.

• Collaborate on emerging technologies including 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), quantum communications, and spectrum management.

• Organise workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions, and international exposure programmes to develop leadership and regulatory expertise in telecom policy.

The collaboration is expected to strengthen India’s engagement in global telecom standards and policy forums, while advancing the country’s goal of self-reliance and innovation in digital communications.

In his address, Mr Atul Sinha, Director General, NCA, stated, “Today we formalise a partnership that is simple in design yet transformative in purpose—to build the next generation of policy and regulatory capability for India’s digital communications sector, at scale, with speed, and to global standards. Networks are no longer just utilities; they are the operating system of our economy, powering inclusion, innovation, public services, and national security.”

Mr Vivek Badrinath, Director General, GSMA, added, “We are delighted to work with the National Communications Academy and the Department of Telecommunications to strengthen policy, training, and capacity building. This collaboration marks an important step towards achieving Digital India’s vision and bringing the benefits of mobile technology to millions.”

The MoU underscores India’s growing leadership in the global telecom ecosystem, paving the way for a future-ready, innovation-driven communications sector built on international best practices.