About this infrastructure programme
BharatNet is India's flagship rural broadband connectivity programme to provide high-speed internet to all 2.65 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) across India. Originally launched as NOFN (National Optical Fibre Network) in 2011, renamed BharatNet in 2015, and revamped in August 2023 with a Cabinet approval of Rs 1.39 lakh crore for last-mile connectivity. BharatNet enables: e-governance, telemedicine, online education, agri-extension, and digital banking in villages. The revamped scheme uses a 'BharatNet 2.0' design — connecting all 2.65 lakh GPs by 2025-26 and providing fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connections to 1.5 crore rural households. Implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Ltd (BBNL).
Programme at a glance
| Scheme Name | BharatNet 2026 — ₹1.39 Lakh Crore Rural Broadband for 2.65 Lakh Gram Panchayats | High-Speed Internet |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 2011 |
| Benefit | High-speed internet (1 Gbps to GPs, 25 Mbps to homes) at 2.65 lakh Gram Panchayats — enables telemedicine, online education, e-governance, digital banking in rural India |
| Category | Infrastructure |
| Last Verified | 7 September 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://bbnl.nic.in |
Public benefits provided
High-speed internet (1 Gbps to GPs, 25 Mbps to homes) at 2.65 lakh Gram Panchayats — enables telemedicine, online education, e-governance, digital banking in rural India
Eligible applicants & bodies
- ✓All 2.65 lakh Gram Panchayats across India (institutional connectivity)
- ✓Rural households (Fibre-to-the-Home — 1.5 crore households targeted)
- ✓Common Service Centres (CSCs), schools, anganwadis, PHCs at panchayat level
- ✓Last-mile connectivity through state DISCOMs, cable operators, telecom partners
Documents required
Application process
- 1Check if your Gram Panchayat is covered under BharatNet's fibre rollout, targeting all 2.65 lakh GPs.
- 2For a home fibre (FTTH) connection, contact the local telecom partner, cable operator, or state DISCOM handling last-mile rollout.
- 3Submit Aadhaar Card, address proof, and a mobile number to the service provider for household FTTH registration.
- 4Pay the service charge, roughly Rs 100–300 per month for unlimited broadband, subsidised in many areas by state schemes.
- 5CSCs, schools, anganwadis, and PHCs at panchayat level receive connectivity directly — no individual application needed there.
- 6Once connected, use the FTTH line for telemedicine, online education, e-governance, agri-extension, or digital banking.
- 7Check rollout status and the implementing agency for your area via Bharat Broadband Network Ltd at bbnl.nic.in.
Official Government Portal
Use bbnl.nic.in directly — there is no application fee, and no third party can speed up your approval.
🔗Apply on bbnl.nic.in