- At a review of the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) in Kanpur, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia reaffirmed India’s goal of generating at least 10% of global 6G patents. This commitment is backed by policy frameworks, increased R&D funding, and proactive spectrum allocation for testing and innovation.
- India is already among the top six countries globally in 6G-related patent filings. More than 111 research projects have received funding to the tune of ₹300‑₹400 crore
- The Bharat 6G Vision Document (released March 2023) and the B6GA serve as the strategic foundation, bringing together academia, industry, startups, and public institutions to drive India’s 6G ecosystem.
📅 Timelines, Governance & Strategy
- Although early targets mentioned achieving this 10% share by 2027, most official communications now point toward 2030 as the realistic endpoint for India’s contribution goal
- The Technology Innovation Group on 6G (TIG‑6G) under DoT, alongside six thematic task forces, is mapping the technical and regulatory roadmap—including spectrum, standards, device ecosystems, and standard essential patents (SEPs)
🧩 R&D Priorities & Patent Niches
- India aims to build 10 specification‑dependent SEPs and drive at least one new radio technology originating from within. Areas of focus include AI/ML, non‑terrestrial networks (satellite/air/ground/ocean), quantum communications, post‑quantum cryptography, energy‑efficient protocols, and integrated AI services
- The telecom department is prioritizing collaboration with industry and academia to identify and own patent niches where India has strategic advantage
⚖️ Challenges & Criticisms
- Funding remains a key hurdle: despite ambition, India’s telecom R&D budget (~₹400–₹1,100 crore in FY25) is a fraction of the investments seen in China or the U.S., which devote 2–3% of their GDP to innovation funding. Without substantial increases, the 10% patent goal may be hard to realize.
- Scaling innovation in hardware, device ecosystems, and telecom design remains a work in progress—India still trails in producing globally adopted telecom stacks, though its indigenous 4G stack is now live, and BSNL is deploying 100,000 such towers.
✅ Summary Table
| Focus Area | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Patent Target | ≥10% of global 6G patents by ~2030 |
| Current Status | India is among top 6 patent filers; 111+ projects funded (~₹300cr) |
| Governance | B6GA & TIG‑6G coordinating cross-sector efforts |
| Patent Focus Zones | AI, satellite/non-terrestrial, quantum, post‑quantum cryptography, SEPs |
| Funding Gaps | Telecom R&D spending is modest relative to global peers |
| Risk | Ambitious goals need institutional capacity, more funding, global adoption |
🔭 What to Monitor Next
- Rollout of India‑based 6G testbeds, pilot programs, and Aurora R&D centers.
- Patent applications and outcomes in AI-based wireless, non-terrestrial connectivity, and RIS/ML-driven protocols.
- Progress in India’s active participation at global standard bodies such as ITU and 3GPP, especially ahead of the next World Radiocommunication Conference in 2027
