← 20 September 2026's Current Affairs · Science & Tech GS-3 Prelims ★★★☆☆ Mains ★★★★☆
Digital Bharat Nidhi signs pact to implement Amended BharatNet Programme
Why in News?
Renamed from USOF, this fund just signed the deal wiring rural India's broadband future
Digital Bharat Nidhi (formerly USOF) signed a pact to implement the Amended BharatNet Programme under a state-led model.
Why it matters: GS-3 core
What you need to know
2 min read
The Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) recently signed an agreement to implement the Amended BharatNet Programme under a state-led model, aimed at expanding rural broadband connectivity.
DBN is the renamed successor of the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which was originally created to subsidise telecom services in underserved areas.
The renaming reflects a broader push to widen the fund's digital-infrastructure mandate.
Sources: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
Key facts
Remember these
- Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) is the renamed Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)
- USOF was originally created to subsidise telecom services in underserved/rural areas
- DBN recently signed a pact to implement the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP)
- The ABP is being implemented under a state-led model
- The goal is to expand rural broadband connectivity across India
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) is the renamed successor of the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
- DBN recently signed an agreement to implement the Amended BharatNet Programme under a state-led model.
- The Amended BharatNet Programme aims to expand rural broadband connectivity in India.
Mains
GS Paper 3 - Infrastructure/Science & Technology: the issue of the rural-urban digital divide is being addressed by widening USOF's mandate under its new identity as Digital Bharat Nidhi and shifting BharatNet implementation to a state-led model. This implies greater flexibility in fund utilisation and closer state-level ownership of last-mile execution, but the way forward requires monitoring state capacity to ensure the model actually delivers equitable rural connectivity.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
With reference to Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), consider the following statements:
- DBN is the renamed successor of the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
- DBN recently signed an agreement to implement the Amended BharatNet Programme under a state-led model.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C — Digital Bharat Nidhi is the renamed USOF, and it recently signed an agreement to implement the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP) under a state-led model to expand rural broadband.
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