Sanjeev Banzal: Director General, ERNET India
A veteran of the Indian Telecom Service (ITS) with over three decades of public service experience, Sanjeev Banzal is currently the Director General of ERNET India (Education and Research Network India), Ministry of Electronics and IT, Government of India. Throughout his distinguished career, he has remained driven by a singular purpose–to create positive, lasting change in the lives of Indian citizens through technology and connectivity.
Boasting a career spanning roles at the DoT, BSNL, TRAI and ERNET India, Banzal brings deep regulatory, technical and operational experience to his current role. He has been instrumental in several nation-impacting initiatives such as the implementation of mobile number portability and the formulation of telecom development plans for India’s north-eastern and island regions–efforts that laid the foundation for 4G and 5G roll-outs in places such as the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the Lakshwadeep Islands.
At ERNET India, Banzal oversees critical national initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide, especially in remote and tribal areas. Under his leadership, the organisation is enabling students and teachers in underserved areas to access the vast reservoir of online knowledge and resources via technology ranging from interactive boards and LAN networks to satellite-based broadband. ERNET is also the sole domain registrar for educational and research institutions in India, and offers a wide range of services including web hosting, data centres, DNS management and campus Wi-Fi. ERNET India has diversified its activities. Presently ERNET India is implementing projects which are of national importance. He sees the telecom and Information technology sectors as the backbone of India’s digital economy, emphasising the critical need for robust infrastructure in an era shaped by 5G, AI, IoT, blockchain and smart cities.
He notes that with nearly 1.2 billion telecom subscriptions and 950 million broadband users, India is poised to not just adopt global tech trends but to lead their evolution–especially in areas such as 6G and AI. A firm believer in participative leadership, Banzal is known for his sincerity, perseverance and purpose-driven the management style. He credits his diverse experiences–from from rural areas of Datia (MP) to international forums like International Telecommunication Union in at Geneva and Asia-Pacific Advanced Network, for shaping his holistic perspective. Academically, he holds degrees in engineering and in management, and is currently pursuing a PhD.
Beyond work, he finds joy in with his family, spiritual reading, music and travel. His family includes his wife, also a senior ITS officer, and their two well accomplished children.
