Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) Signs MoU with Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IITR)

New Delhi: The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), a premier research and development center under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR), a leading institution of national importance. This collaboration marks a significant step towards enhancing India’s capabilities in advanced communication technologies.

Establishment of the Centre of Excellence (CoE)

As part of the MoU, C-DOT is setting up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at IIT Roorkee. The primary objective of this CoE is to accelerate indigenous research, innovation, and capacity building in advanced communication technologies. The CoE will focus on several key areas:

• Wireless Communication
• Quantum Technologies
• Cyber Security
• AI-Based Applications

The establishment of the CoE aims to foster academia-industry synergy, leveraging the academic expertise of IITR and the industry strength of C-DOT. This collaboration will enable students, researchers, and start-ups to contribute significantly to India’s innovation and self-reliance journey, thereby strengthening the country’s leadership position in global telecom innovation.

Research and Development Focus

The CoE will drive joint research and prototype development in several emerging domains, including:

• 5G/6G Technologies
• RF-Sub-THz Integrated Circuits
• Sensors
• Millimeter Wave Beamforming Antennas with Integrated ICs
• Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication
• Data-Driven Wireless Communication Technologies
• Energy Efficiency Solutions

This strategic initiative is expected to significantly contribute to the development of indigenous telecom solutions, supporting start-ups, developing intellectual property, and enabling continuous knowledge exchange through workshops, training programs, and joint academic-industry engagements.

Significance of the MoU

The MoU was signed in the presence of notable figures, including:

• Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee
• Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT
• Faculty members from IIT Roorkee
• Senior officials from C-DOT

The signing ceremony was followed by the inauguration of the new Centre of Excellence, dedicated to advancing communication technologies and high-impact research and development.

Insights from Key Leaders

During the event, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay delivered a lecture on “Building Indigenous Communication Technologies for Viksit Bharat” as part of the sixth Prof. A.K. Kamal Memorial Lecture Series. The presentation focused on:

• India’s telecom landscape
• Bharat 6G Vision
• Telecom value chain
• Standards and opportunities for India

Dr. Upadhyay emphasized C-DOT’s indigenous solutions in various areas, including:

• 4G/5G Technologies
• TRINETRA Cybersecurity Solutions
• Secure Quantum Communication (QKD & PQC)
• Disaster Management Solutions
• AI-Enabled Advanced Telecom Applications such as Sanchar Saathi
• Fraud Detection Systems
• Mission Critical Communication (MCX)

He stated, “This collaboration brings together the expertise of India’s leading academic institute and the R&D strengths of C-DOT to accelerate indigenous telecom innovation. Together, IIT Roorkee and C-DOT will build technologies that reduce dependence on foreign systems and create new opportunities for India to lead in advanced domains such as 5G, 6G, AI, and secure communication systems.”

Vision for the Future

Prof. K.K. Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating, “This collaboration marks an important milestone for IIT Roorkee as we join hands with C-DOT to advance India’s next-generation telecom capabilities. IIT Roorkee has a strong legacy in communication engineering, semiconductor technologies, and emerging wireless systems that will complement C-DOT’s national mission for secure, indigenous, and future-ready telecom solutions.”

He further noted that the CoE would provide a transformative platform for faculty, researchers, and students to co-develop technologies of strategic national importance, contributing to India’s long-term vision of technological leadership.

Conclusion

The signing of the MoU between C-DOT and IIT Roorkee represents a significant advancement in India’s telecommunications sector. By establishing a Centre of Excellence focused on advanced communication technologies, this collaboration aims to enhance research and development, foster innovation, and build a self-reliant telecom ecosystem in India.

Note: The information presented in this article is based on the latest updates and developments as of November 2025.