National Knowledge Network (NKN) envisages connecting all higher centres of learning and research by bringing together all stakeholders from science, technology, higher education, healthcare, agriculture and governance to a common platform. The concept which formed one of the key focus area of the National Knowledge Commission strongly feels that to optimally utilise the potential of institutions engaged in generation and dissemination of knowledge in various areas, such as research laboratories, universities and other institutions of higher learning, including professional institutions, it is important to connect them through a high speed broadband network. The purpose of such a knowledge network goes to the very heart of the country's quest to build quality institutions with requisite research facilities and create a pool of highly trained persons.

RailTel have been selected as one of the implementing partner of the network by providing high capacity bandwidth pipes for the NKN project.