The details of key initiatives undertaken in tier-2 and tier-3 cities are as under:

• Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS) to scale up about 1600 technology startups to discover, nurture and grow technology with an outlay of Rs. 490 Crore over period of five years;
• India Business Process Outsourcing Promotion Scheme (IBPS) & North East Business Process Outsourcing Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) with an aim to create employment opportunities and dispersal of IT and IT Enabled services by setting up 246 units in 104 small cities/ towns;
• Setting up of 67 centres with 59 centres in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities under Software Technology Parks of India initiative.

As of March 2025, out of a total Internet Subscribers of 969.10 million in India, there are 407.69 million Rural Internet Subscribers. The total internet subscribers in the country have increased from 825.30 million as on March 2021 to 969.10 million in March 2025. To improve internet connectivity in the villages, the Government of India has launched the 4G Saturation Projects and Amended BharatNet Program to provide 4G mobile services in uncovered villages and high-speed broadband access respectively across the country.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

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Samrat/ Allen