India Mobile Congress 2026 is this week, and your pass is free
IMC runs from 7 to 10 October at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The organisers call it Asia’s largest tech fest, and with 500+ partners and exhibitors on the floor, it’s easy to see why. Student and Visitor passes cost nothing. Here’s what we’d tell you if you asked us after class.
⏳ Free Student & Visitor registration is open now. IMC starts 7 Oct, so register in the next few hours before passes close.
🎟️ Register for your FREE pass ↗Book Free Career CounsellingJust so you know, SkillCircle isn’t an organiser or official partner of IMC. We wrote this guide for our students, and you can only register on the official IMC site.
About India Mobile Congress
It started in 2017. The Government’s Press Information Bureau announced the “first ever India Mobile Congress 2017”. It ran from 27 to 29 September 2017 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, and more than 100 leading global companies were expected. This year’s edition carries “10 Years” branding, which tells you how far it’s come.
So who’s behind it? The official registration site says IMC is “organized by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operator Association of India (COAI)”. You’ll see DoT (Ministry of Communications) and COAI logos in the header of the official website, and DoT, Digital India and ITU are listed there under “Supported By”.
What actually happens there? In the organisers’ words, industry, government, academia and other ecosystem players get together to “discuss, deliberate, demonstrate, and display” what’s new in Telecom, Media and Technology (TMT) and ICT.
How big is it? Per the official IMC site:
Sources: indiamobilecongress.com, register.indiamobilecongress.com and the PIB release on IMC 2017.
The key details
Save this one. You’ll want it on the day.
| Dates | 7–10 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Timings | Opens at 9:30 AM on 7 Oct and wraps up at 6:30 PM on 10 Oct (per the official registration site). We couldn’t find daily hours yet, so check the official site before you head out. |
| Venue | Yashobhoomi, India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC), New Delhi |
| Theme | Scale Without Boundaries |
| Organised by | Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), per the official registration site |
| Official help | info@indiamobilecongress.com |
Key highlights of IMC 2026
This is the 10-year edition, and the 2026 theme is Scale Without Boundaries. Here’s what stood out to us on the official IMC site.
International 6G Symposium
A whole symposium on what comes after 5G, from intelligent RAN to AI-native networks. If you’ve only just got used to 5G, this is where people are already talking about the next thing.
The Digital Defense Games
The official site pitches it as “Enter the simulation. Face the threats. Defend the digital enterprise.” It’s a cybersecurity experience, and worth a look if you’ve ever wondered what defending a company from attacks actually involves.
IMC 2026 Awards
“Witness industry brilliance unfold live,” says the site. The Viksit Tech 47 Award and the Dr. M.J. Zarabi Indigenisation Award are listed under Awards as well.
Global Telecom Leadership
Leaders from 20+ of the world’s leading telecom operators talking about where the industry goes next. Sit in if you can get a seat.
Summits and the Startup Worldcup
There are separate summits for Satcom, Cybersecurity, Quantum and Smart Mobility. Add Viksit Tech 47, the Startup Worldcup and Leadership Roundtables, and you won’t run out of things to see.
The theme has four pillars
Srishti
6G, AI-native telecom, edge and cloud, quantum communications, semiconductors and AI chipsets.
Samvardhan
5G use cases and monetisation, satcom, network APIs, industrial automation and robotics, gadgets and devices.
Sashakt
Green telecom, e-waste and the circular economy, ESG, sustainable infrastructure, CSR and social impact.
Suraksha
Cybersecurity, digital trust, responsible AI, data privacy, spam and fraud protection, policy and regulation.
Session timings are on the official Conference Flow. The organisers say the schedule can change.
Why attend as a SkillCircle alumnus or current student
You’ve done the coursework. IMC is where you see it used for real, and where the right people might notice you.
In a marketing batch?
Hundreds of brands are pitching in person here. Walk the floor like it’s one big case study. Who is this booth for? What’s the hook? Would the same idea work on Instagram? Note the good ones and borrow them (ethically).
Into data or AI?
AI-native telecom, AI infrastructure, responsible AI and network APIs are all on the agenda. It’s a rare chance to see data and AI running at India scale instead of in a practice notebook.
Curious about cyber?
The Suraksha pillar covers cybersecurity, data privacy and fraud protection. On top of that there’s a Cybersecurity Summit and the Digital Defense Games.
Hunting for a job or internship?
Telcos, tech companies and startups all exhibit. Ask booth teams if they take interns and who handles hiring, then message that person on LinkedIn the same week. The official partner list even includes digital and experiential marketing partners, so you can meet people who run these campaigns.
One more thing. Pick one exhibitor and break down how they position themselves, their booth and their online presence. That’s a ready portfolio piece, and a “what I noticed at IMC” LinkedIn post shows recruiters you go out and learn on your own. Not sure what to learn next after all that? Talk to us.
Meet the SkillCircle squad at IMC 2026
These SkillCircle students and alumni have registered for IMC and are happy to be listed here.
Spot a SkillCircle tee? Say hi 👋
Connaught Place, Delhi 6
Gurugram 6
Jaipur 6
Noida 6
Chandigarh 5
Ranchi 5
Patiala 4
Ghaziabad 3
Kolkata 3
Laxmi Nagar, Delhi 3
Lucknow 3
Why networking matters, and how to do it without the awkwardness
Honestly, courses get you skills, but people get you opportunities. A lot of roles and freelance projects get filled through referrals long before anyone posts a job.
Ten minutes with someone who does the job will teach you more about what’s used at work right now than a week of tutorials. And the people you meet this week might be the ones who refer you or hire you in two years.
How we’d do it
- Fix your LinkedIn the night before. A clear photo, a headline that says what you do (something like “Digital Marketing learner @ SkillCircle | SEO · Performance Ads · AI tools”) and 2–3 projects in Featured.
- Have a 30-second intro ready and end it with a question about them. People like talking about their own work.
- Put your LinkedIn QR on your lock screen. In the LinkedIn app, tap the QR icon in the search bar and take a screenshot. Scanning beats spelling your name out in a noisy hall.
- Write a one-line note after each chat (name, company, what you talked about). Follow up within 48 hours with a message that mentions the conversation. Plain “let’s connect” requests mostly get ignored.
“Hi, I’m ___. I’m learning ___ at SkillCircle and recently ___ (one project or result). I’m looking at roles in ___. What’s your team showing at IMC this year?”
“Hi ___, we met at the ___ booth at IMC on ___. I really liked what you said about ___. Would love to stay in touch and learn more about ___.”
Doing freelance work? IMC is full of potential clients
Every exhibitor is a business that needs visibility, leads or better data. The trick is to approach them without becoming that annoying salesperson.
Start with startups and early-stage exhibitors. Small teams, big goals, and often nobody doing marketing full-time. Gadget and device brands live on social, influencer and performance ads. B2B tech, SaaS and API companies have long sales cycles, so they need content, LinkedIn and clean lead data.
Don’t skip the country, state and Bharat pavilions. Smaller companies there are often trying to grow and may not have a digital partner yet. Green-tech and CSR-focused firms need good storytelling. And any team that’s drowning in reports will listen if you mention dashboards or automation.
How to pitch
- Do your homework before you walk up. On your phone, check their website, Instagram, LinkedIn and ads, and find one clear gap: no CTA, dead socials, weak SEO or no tracking.
- Open with that one insight, not a list of services. Keep it under a minute, then offer something small and free, like a one-page audit, three ad ideas or a quick dashboard mock-up.
- Read the room. If the booth is busy, ask when the team is free or who handles marketing, and come back later. The official code of conduct asks everyone to behave professionally and respect exhibitors, so don’t hover.
“Hi, I’m ___. I help tech brands get more leads through SEO, performance ads, data dashboards and AI-powered content. I noticed ___ about your website. Could I send you a free one-page audit with a few quick wins this week? Who should I send it to?”
Afterwards, photograph business cards or scan their LinkedIn QR, and log each lead in a simple sheet: name, company, role, the gap you spotted and what you promised. Only follow up with people who said they’re open to it, and send what you promised within 48 hours. No reply after a week? One polite nudge, offer a 15-minute call, and leave it there.
Services you could pitch
Pick your pass
This is what the official registration site showed on 6 Oct 2026. Quick decoder: Day 1 is 7 Oct, Day 2 is 8 Oct, and Days 3–4 are 9–10 Oct.
Student
- Valid student ID required
- Day 1: no access
- Day 2: from 2:00 PM
- Days 3–4: full day
- Exhibition access, conference access subject to availability
Visitor
- Open to all
- Day 1: no access
- Day 2: from 2:00 PM
- Days 3–4: full day
- Exhibition access, conference access subject to availability
Delegate Gold
- One-day option: ₹5,000
- Full access, delegate kit, priority conference seating
Delegate Platinum
- One-day option: ₹8,000
- Full access, Platinum lounge, IMC Awards access
One-day delegate passes only work on 9 and 10 October. Media (valid media ID) and Government (govt employees) passes need approval. What’s included can change, so check the official site before you pay for anything.
How to register (about 2 minutes)
⏳ Free Student & Visitor registration is open now. IMC starts 7 Oct, so register in the next few hours before passes close.
- Go to register.indiamobilecongress.com.
- Pick Student (keep your student ID handy) or Visitor.
- Fill in real details. Some categories need approval, and the organisers can cancel registrations with false info.
- Watch your inbox. Your badge comes by email or on the registration dashboard, though some categories print badges onsite.
- On the day, carry the badge and a government-issued photo ID. Badges are personal, so you can’t hand yours to a friend.
Your IMC game plan
Day 2 (8 Oct), after 2 PM
Walk the floor and map the booths you actually care about, like the AI and 6G demos, devices and startups. Note down who you want to come back and talk to.
Days 3–4 (9–10 Oct)
Sit in on a couple of AI, 5G, 6G or cybersecurity sessions if there are seats, then spend the rest of the day talking to people.
Before you leave home
Charge your phone, pack a power bank and wear comfortable shoes, because the exhibition area is 60K sqm (per the official IMC site). Download the official IMC app; the App Store and Google Play links are on the official site. Expect bag checks at security and leave anything that could count as a prohibited item at home. Take notes as you go, and your LinkedIn recap will almost write itself.
After IMC, come talk to us
Came back buzzing about AI, data or digital marketing but not sure what to do next? Book a free career counselling session and we’ll help you plan a skill path based on what you saw on the floor.
Book Free Career CounsellingCall 98991 40180Questions people ask about IMC 2026
When and where is India Mobile Congress 2026?
From 7 to 10 October 2026, at Yashobhoomi, India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC), New Delhi.
Who organises India Mobile Congress?
According to the official registration site, it’s organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).
When did IMC start?
In 2017. The Government’s PIB called it the “first ever India Mobile Congress”, held from 27 to 29 September 2017 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. That makes 2026 the 10-year edition.
Is IMC 2026 free for students?
Yes. The Student pass is free, you just need a valid student ID. There’s no entry on Day 1 (7 Oct), you’re in from 2 PM on Day 2 (8 Oct), and you get full days on 9 and 10 Oct.
Is there a free Visitor pass?
Yes. It’s open to everyone and works on the same days and timings as the Student pass.
Can students attend the conference sessions?
Your pass covers the exhibition. Conference sessions are subject to availability, so get there early if there’s a talk you really want to catch.
What should I carry?
Your badge and a government-issued photo ID, plus your student ID if you’re on a Student pass. Badges can’t be transferred.
Can I register at the venue?
Maybe. The official FAQ says onsite registration may be available depending on the visitor category and how full the event is. We’d register online now rather than risk it.
Can freelancers pitch their services at IMC?
You can start conversations, just keep it professional. Do your research, keep it short, don’t crowd busy booths and follow the organiser’s code of conduct. Only follow up with people who said they’re open to it.
Is SkillCircle organising IMC?
No. SkillCircle isn’t an organiser or official partner of IMC. We wrote this guide for our learners. For anything official, go to indiamobilecongress.com.
Who do I contact for registration help?
Email the IMC team at info@indiamobilecongress.com.
Note: India Mobile Congress is run by its official organisers. SkillCircle isn’t an organiser, sponsor or official partner of IMC; we’re sharing this for our learners. Details come from indiamobilecongress.com, register.indiamobilecongress.com and PIB as of 6 October 2026 and can change, so check the official site before you go. The illustrations are original artwork made for this page. They don’t show real people or the actual venue.