Department of Telecommunications' Samriddh Gram Wins WSIS Prize 2026 under Action Line C6 – Enabling Environment

Why in news

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has been announced as the Global winner of the prestigious World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2026 for its flagship project "Samriddh Gram: Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model Enabled by BharatNet."

Exam relevance

GS2, GS3 · Governance, Science & Technology · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) won the WSIS Prizes 2026 for its project "Samriddh Gram: Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model Enabled by BharatNet."
2. The award was presented under Action Line C6 – Enabling Environment.
3. The WSIS Forum 2026, where the award was presented, was held in Geneva.
4. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of delivering integrated digital services to remote and rural areas of India.
5. The WSIS Prizes are instituted under the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Prelims pointers

• Samriddh Gram is an initiative of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
• It is an 'Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model Enabled by BharatNet'.
• Samriddh Gram won the WSIS Prize 2026 under Action Line C6 – Enabling Environment.
• The WSIS Prizes are instituted under the WSIS process led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• The award was presented at the WSIS Forum 2026 in Geneva.

Mains practice question

Discuss the role of digital public infrastructure, exemplified by initiatives like 'Samriddh Gram', in fostering inclusive rural development and bridging the digital divide in India. (150 words)

Static linkage

The news links to India's broader Digital India initiative, the BharatNet project aimed at providing broadband connectivity to rural areas, and the global efforts by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to leverage Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for sustainable development and inclusive growth.

Significance

This global recognition highlights India's innovative approach in leveraging digital public infrastructure and telecom connectivity for inclusive rural development. It underscores the success of the 'phygital' service delivery model in bridging the digital divide and bringing integrated digital services to remote areas, thereby strengthening the vision of an inclusive Digital India.