C-DOT and IIT Roorkee Launch Centre of Excellence to Drive 5G, 6G, Quantum and Advanced Telecom R&D
In a significant step toward strengthening India’s capabilities in next-generation telecom technologies, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the IITR campus. This initiative aims to accelerate indigenous research, innovation, and capacity building in advanced communication technologies, contributing to India’s vision of a self-reliant and Viksit Bharat.
Centre of Excellence Focus Areas
Under the MoU, C-DOT is setting up a Centre of Excellence dedicated to cutting-edge research in areas such as:
- Wireless communication
- Quantum technologies
- Cybersecurity
- AI-driven applications
The CoE will act as a collaborative platform where academia and industry will jointly develop solutions designed to position India as a global leader in telecom innovation. It will also support students, researchers, and start-ups by offering access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, mentorship, and opportunities to develop prototypes and intellectual property.
Driving Innovation in 5G, 6G, and Emerging Technologies
The CoE will undertake joint research and prototype development across a wide range of next-generation domains, including:
- 5G & 6G technologies
- RF and Sub-THz integrated circuits
- Advanced sensors and millimeter wave beamforming antennas
- V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication systems
- Data-driven wireless communication models
- Energy-efficient telecom architectures
With the combined expertise of C-DOT and IIT Roorkee, the centre aims to foster solutions that reduce foreign dependency and strengthen India’s telecom value chain.
MoU Signing and Inauguration Ceremony
The MoU was signed in the presence of:
- Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee
- Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT
- Senior faculty members and officials from both institutions
Immediately after the signing, the Centre of Excellence was formally inaugurated, marking the beginning of a new era in collaborative telecom research. Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay also delivered the sixth Prof. A.K. Kamal Memorial Lecture, titled “Building Indigenous Communication Technologies for Viksit Bharat.” His talk highlighted India’s telecom ecosystem, Bharat 6G Vision, indigenous R&D strengths, and C-DOT’s innovations in areas such as secure quantum communication, disaster management, TRINETRA cybersecurity solutions, and advanced AI-enabled telecom applications.
Strategic Importance of the Collaboration
Speaking on the partnership, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay stated that the alliance brings together India’s top academic talent and C-DOT’s leadership in indigenous telecom R&D:
“Together, IIT Roorkee and C-DOT will build technologies that reduce dependence on foreign systems and create new opportunities for India to lead in 5G, 6G, AI, and secure communication systems,” he said.
IIT Roorkee Director Prof. K.K. Pant emphasized that the collaboration aligns with national goals of technological leadership:
“The CoE will provide a transformative platform for our faculty, researchers, and students to co-develop technologies of strategic national importance. This partnership marks a milestone in advancing India’s future-ready telecom solutions,” he noted.
About C-DOT
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) is the premier R&D organization of the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. A leader in indigenous telecom innovation, C-DOT develops cutting-edge solutions in:
- Broadband
- 4G/5G networks
- Quantum communication
- Cybersecurity
- Disaster management systems
- AI-driven telecom applications
C-DOT supports India’s journey toward secure and self-reliant digital infrastructure.
About IIT Roorkee
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR) is one of India’s oldest and most prestigious technical institutions. With strong expertise in:
- Communication engineering
- Electronics
- Semiconductors
- Emerging wireless technologies
IITR continues to shape national innovation through advanced research, academic excellence, and industry collaboration.
Conclusion
The establishment of the Centre of Excellence at IIT Roorkee represents a pivotal moment in India’s telecommunications landscape. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, this initiative aims to drive innovation in critical areas such as 5G, 6G, and quantum technologies. The commitment to indigenous research and development will not only enhance India’s technological capabilities but also contribute to the nation’s goal of becoming a self-reliant and technologically advanced society.
Note: This article is based on information available as of November 2025.
