Chapter V DIGITAL BHARAT NIDHI

1. (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. (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. (3) The balance to the credit of the Digital Bharat Nidhi shall not lapse at the end of the financial year.
4. (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.

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:---

1. (a) support universal service through promoting access to and delivery of telecommunication services in underserved rural, remote and urban areas;
2. (b) support research and development of telecommunication services, technologies, and products;
3. (c) support pilot projects, consultancy assistance and advisory support towards provision of service under clause (a) of this section;
4. (d) support introduction of telecommunication services, technologies, and products.

The Digital Bharat Nidhi shall be administered in a manner, as may be prescribed.