The Universal Service Obligation Fund created under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 has been rechristened as Digital Bharat Nidhi vide section 24(1) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and addresses new areas which may require support from Digital Bharat Nidhi in changing technological times. Aim Digital Bharat Nidhi aims at provision of quality and affordable mobile and digital services across the rural and remote areas of the country; allowing non-discriminatory access to mobile and network services along with equitable access to knowledge and information dissemination, leading to a rapid socio-economic development with improved standard of living. Background The Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund was established with fundamental objective of providing access to "Basic" telegraph services to people in remote and rural areas at affordable and reasonable prices. Subsequently, the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2006 was notified on 29.12.2006 to repeal the term "Basic" wherein the scope of USO Fund was widened to provide access to telegraph services (including mobile services, broadband connectivity and ICT infrastructure creation) in rural and remote areas. The Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund is headed by the Administrator, USO Fund who is appointed by the Central Government, for the administration of the fund. It is an attached office of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications. The Telecommunications (Administration of Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024 were framed under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. The rules provide for powers and functions of administrator, who will be responsible for overseeing the implementation and administration of the Digital Bharat Nidhi. The rules also provide for criteria for undertaking schemes and projects under Digital Bharat Nidhi and selection process for implementers. Initiatives supported by DBN BharatNet project connecting Gram Panchayats (GPs) Mobile services in uncovered villages in Northeastern Region (NER), Left Wing Extremist Areas, Aspirational Districts, Border Areas, etc 4G mobile saturation in remote and rural India Island connectivity through submarine OFC Other telecom projects to ensure that universal services are provided in an economically efficient manner Source :Digital Bharat Nidhi Related resources Telecommunications Act 2023 DBN Rules 2024