The Samriddh Gram Integrated Phygital Services Pilot, led by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, demonstrates how robust telecom infrastructure can enable inclusive rural development. Built on the BharatNet backbone, the initiative establishes Samriddhi Kendras as one-stop hubs delivering integrated “phygital” services—combining physical infrastructure with digital platforms.

The project aggregates citizen-centric use cases and services across healthcare, education, agriculture, governance, financial inclusion, and e-commerce, enabling seamless access for rural communities. High-speed broadband, FTTH connectivity, and public Wi-Fi under PM-WANI ensure reliable last-mile access, supporting services such as telemedicine, smart classrooms, IoT-enabled agriculture, and digital governance platforms.

By moving beyond standalone digital interventions, the initiative demonstrates a scalable model for converged service delivery that enhances adoption and maximizes the value of telecom infrastructure. Early outcomes indicate improved service accessibility, reduced travel costs, enhanced digital literacy, and increased economic participation. The model is designed for scalability and sustainability through a community-driven entrepreneurial framework, enabling replication across diverse rural geographies.

https://samriddhgram.co.in/

• India

• Youth
• Women
• The unemployed
• Remote and rural communities

The Samriddh Gram initiative is designed as a replicable model for rural digital transformation. The project follows a standardized and modular approach through the establishment of Samriddhi Kendras, which can be deployed across diverse geographies with varying demographic and socio-economic conditions.

Built on the scalable BharatNet infrastructure, the model leverages existing digital public platforms and telecom connectivity, making it adaptable across regions without the need for extensive new infrastructure. The “whole-of-the-government” approach enables integration of multiple services under one roof, which can be customized based on local needs.

The pilot implementation across villages of different sizes provides insights into operational feasibility, financial sustainability, and service adoption patterns, which can be used to inform large-scale rollout. The model is designed for replication at block, district, and state levels, with potential for adoption in other developing countries facing similar rural connectivity and service delivery challenges.

The sustainability of the Samriddh Gram initiative is ensured through a well-defined social entrepreneurship and revenue-driven operational model. Samriddhi Kendras are managed by trained local entrepreneurs (Village Level Entrepreneurs), creating a sense of ownership and accountability at the community level.

The project adopts a diversified revenue model, with income generated from multiple service streams including healthcare diagnostics, digital education and skill development, financial services, e-governance transactions, telecom and connectivity services, and agriculture-related services. This multi-sectoral approach ensures steady cash flow and reduces dependence on any single revenue source.

The model is designed to achieve operational self-sufficiency within a defined time frame, supported initially through viability gap funding. Convergence with government schemes further strengthens long-term sustainability by ensuring continuous demand and institutional support.

In addition to financial sustainability, the project builds social sustainability by enhancing digital literacy, generating local employment, and embedding the Kendra as an essential part of the rural ecosystem.

The project promotes WSIS values by fostering inclusive, people-centric, and development-oriented information societies. It ensures equitable access to information and communication technologies by extending reliable broadband connectivity to rural areas and enabling last-mile access through assisted service delivery models. The initiative emphasizes digital inclusion by addressing barriers such as affordability, accessibility, and digital literacy. It promotes capacity building through digital education and skill development programs, empowering citizens to actively participate in the digital economy. Transparency and efficiency in governance are enhanced through integrated e-governance services, while multi-stakeholder collaboration across government departments strengthens institutional coordination. By leveraging telecom infrastructure for social and economic development, the project aligns with WSIS principles of bridging the digital divide and enabling sustainable development through ICTs.