PM WANI Free WiFi Scheme — Quick Overview
| Scheme Name | PM WANI Free Public WiFi 2026 — Rural Kirana से WiFi | 20 Lakh Access Points | PM-WANI Scheme |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 2020 |
| Benefit | Free/affordable public WiFi at any PM-WANI PDO shop — no licence for shopkeepers — 20 lakh hotspot target across India |
| Category | Infrastructure |
| Last Verified | 3 May 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://dot.gov.in/pm-wani |
What is PM WANI Free WiFi Scheme?
PM WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) is India's free public WiFi scheme that enables any shopkeeper, tea stall, or kirana store to become a public WiFi hotspot without a licence. Launched December 2020, it works through Public Data Offices (PDOs — any shop) who install WiFi routers and provide internet to public. Citizens get affordable/free WiFi access. Target: 20 lakh PDO hotspots across India, especially rural areas. Anyone can walk into a PM-WANI PDO shop and connect to internet. No licence needed for shopkeepers.
Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive Free/affordable public WiFi at any PM-WANI PDO shop — no licence for shopkeepers — 20 lakh hotspot target across India. The scheme was launched in 2020 and is implemented by the Government of India.
PM WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) किसी भी दुकान (PDO — Public Data Office) को public WiFi hotspot बनाने की scheme है — कोई licence नहीं चाहिए। December 2020 में launch। ग्रामीण भारत में internet access के लिए। 20 लाख access points target। Citizens कम दाम में या मुफ्त WiFi पा सकते हैं।
किसी भी PM-WANI PDO दुकान पर affordable/free WiFi — 20 लाख hotspots — ग्रामीण और शहरी दोनों — No licence for shopkeeper
Benefits of PM WANI Free WiFi Scheme
Free/affordable public WiFi at any PM-WANI PDO shop — no licence for shopkeepers — 20 lakh hotspot target across India
Who is Eligible for PM WANI Free WiFi Scheme?
- ✓For citizens using WiFi: Anyone — no eligibility condition — free access at PM-WANI hotspots
- ✓For shopkeepers becoming PDO (Public Data Office): Any Indian citizen with a shop
- ✓No licence required to set up PM-WANI hotspot (deregulated in December 2020)
- ✓PDOA (Public Data Office Aggregator) registration on dot.gov.in for service provider
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Documents Required for PM WANI Free WiFi Scheme
How to Apply for PM WANI Free WiFi Scheme Online?
- 1Visit the official portal at https://dot.gov.in/pm-wani
- 2Click on Apply Now or Register button on the homepage
- 3Enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and verify OTP
- 4Fill in the online application form with required details
- 5Upload the required documents including Aadhaar and bank passbook
- 6Review all details and submit the application
- 7Note down the application reference number for future tracking
- 8Wait for verification and approval from the concerned authority
Official Government Portal
Apply directly on the official government website. This is the only authorised portal — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
🔗Apply on dot.gov.in/pm-waniFrequently Asked Questions — PM WANI Free WiFi Scheme
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