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.
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 | 2 May 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://dot.gov.in/pm-wani |
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
Documents Required for PM WANI Free WiFi Scheme
How to Apply for PM WANI Free WiFi Scheme Online?
- 1For CITIZENS using WiFi: PM-WANI PDO shop ढूंढें → Connect करें → Mobile OTP से login → Internet use करें
- 2For SHOPKEEPERS (to become PDO):
- 3dot.gov.in/pm-wani पर PDOA (Aggregator) ढूंढें
- 4Nearest PDOA (Jio, BSNL, Airtel, or small ISPs) से contact करें
- 5PDO registration करें — router install करें
- 6Customers को affordable WiFi provide करें और earn करें
Official Government Portal
dot.gov.in is the only authorised application channel, and the government charges nothing there — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
🔗Apply on dot.gov.in/pm-wani