24. Establishment of Digital Bharat Nidhi.—(1) The Universal Service Obligation Fund created
under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (13 of 1885), shall, from the appointed day, be the “Digital Bharat
Nidhi”, under the control of the Central Government, and shall be used to discharge functions as set forth
in this Act.
(2) Any sums of money attributable to the Digital Bharat Nidhi that is paid pursuant to an
authorisation under section 3, shall be credited to the Digital Bharat Nidhi.
(3) The balance to the credit of the Digital Bharat Nidhi shall not lapse at the end of the financial
year.
(4) All amounts payable under licences granted prior to the appointed day towards the Universal
Service Obligation, shall be deemed to be the amounts payable towards the Digital Bharat Nidhi.
25. Crediting of sum to Consolidated Fund of India.—The sums of money received towards the
Digital Bharat Nidhi under section 24, shall first be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India, and the
Central Government may, if Parliament by appropriation made by law in this behalf so provides, credit
such proceeds to the Digital Bharat Nidhi from time to time for being utilised exclusively to meet any or
all of the following objectives, namely:—
(a) support universal service through promoting access to and delivery of telecommunication
services in underserved rural, remote and urban areas;
(b) support research and development of telecommunication services, technologies, and products;
(c) support pilot projects, consultancy assistance and advisory support towards provision of
service under clause (a) of this section;
(d) support introduction of telecommunication services, technologies, and products.
26. Administration of Digital Bharat Nidhi.—The Digital Bharat Nidhi shall be administered in a
manner, as may be prescribed.