Spotlight to be on innovation at this year’s India Mobile Congress

Innovation is set to be the buzzword at the ninth edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC), to be held from October 8 to 11 in New Delhi.

Union minister for communications and development of North East region Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday announced ‘Innovate to Transform’ as the theme of India’s premier telecom expo this year.

“IMC-2025 will provide significant exposure for domestic industries, global manufacturers, international investors, and Indian consumers,” Scindia said, adding that the platform would showcase the country’s digital capabilities developed over the past decade.

The event will be held at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre and will focus on industry collaboration, digital infrastructure, and inclusive growth, a government statement said.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) are organizing the digital conclave this year.

More than 150 countries are expected to participate, with over 400 exhibitors and 7,000 international delegates, the statement added.

The event will also feature ASPIRE, a startup program launched in 2023, that will host over 500 startups and connect them with investors and mentors.

More than 100 sessions and over 800 speakers are expected at the conference, which will present over 1,000 technology use cases, including developments in 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), electronics manufacturing, and green technologies.

Scindia on Monday also rolled out the ‘Sanchar Mitra Scheme,’ a pilot initiative aimed at engaging student volunteers to raise awareness about telecom services, cybersecurity, and digital access.

“The scheme symbolizes India’s leadership in the four Ds—democracy, demography, digitization, and delivery,” Scindia said.

During the event, the minister also announced the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Telecom Excellence Awards 2024.