Agreement signed to roll out Amended BharatNet Programme in Andhra Pradesh with ₹2,432 crore support
On 13 May 2026 Digital Bharat Nidhi signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh government, APBIL, BSNL and APSFL to implement the Amended BharatNet Programme in the state, covering 13,426 gram panchayats with ₹2,432 crore of central support.
Summary
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) of the Department of Telecommunications signed an agreement on 13 May 2026 at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi, with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh BharatNet Infrastructure Ltd (APBIL), BSNL and AP State FiberNet Ltd to implement the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP) in the state under the state-led model. The programme covers 13,426 gram panchayats, including upgrading 1,692 Phase I panchayats from linear to ring topology, 11,254 Phase II panchayats and 480 new ones, plus on-demand connectivity to 3,942 villages. The Centre has approved ₹2,432 crore for the rollout, which APBIL will implement. The Union Cabinet approved the Amended BharatNet Programme on 4 August 2023 to upgrade and extend BharatNet to all gram panchayats and to villages on demand.
Key facts
- Signed
- 13 May 2026, Sanchar Bhawan; DBN, AP govt, APBIL, BSNL, APSFL
- Coverage
- 13,426 GPs (1,692 Phase I ring upgrade; 11,254 Phase II; 480 new) + 3,942 villages on demand
- Funding
- ₹2,432 crore central support
- Model
- State-led, implemented by APBIL
- Static
- Amended BharatNet Programme approved by Cabinet on 4 Aug 2023
Practice MCQs 2 questions
How much central financial support has been approved for the Amended BharatNet Programme in Andhra Pradesh (May 2026)?
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Correct answer: B — ₹2,432 crore
The Government of India approved ₹2,432 crore; 1,692 and 3,942 are the numbers of Phase I gram panchayats and on-demand villages.
Consider the following statements about the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP): 1. The Union Cabinet approved the Amended BharatNet Programme on 4 August 2023. 2. In Andhra Pradesh, ABP will be implemented under the state-led model through Andhra Pradesh BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (APBIL). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as stated by DoT: Cabinet approval came on 4 August 2023, and in Andhra Pradesh the state-led model is implemented through APBIL.