Gearing up India’s telecom future, a new IIT Roorkee–C-DOT research hub promises breakthroughs in 5G, 6G, AI and secure communications through deep academia–industry collaboration.
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) to advance indigenous telecom research. The agreement establishes a new Centre of Excellence (CoE) on the IIT campus to drive innovation in next-generation communication technologies.
According to the Ministry of Communications, the CoE aims to strengthen India’s capabilities in wireless systems, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, and AI-driven applications. It will support joint research, prototype development, and training programmes.
Under the partnership, researchers will work on emerging domains including 5G and 6G technologies, RF and sub-terahertz integrated circuits, advanced sensors, millimetre-wave beamforming antennas, V2X communication, and energy-efficient wireless systems.
The centre is expected to help students, start-ups, and faculty contribute to India’s wider innovation and self-reliance agenda.
The MoU was signed in the presence of IIT Roorkee Director Prof K. K. Pant and C-DOT CEO Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay. Senior officials from both organisations attended the ceremony, which also marked the formal inauguration of the new CoE.
During the event, Dr Upadhyay delivered the sixth Prof A. K. Kamal Memorial Lecture. He spoke on India’s telecom landscape, the Bharat 6G vision, the domestic value chain, and opportunities for indigenous development.
He highlighted C-DOT’s work in 4G and 5G systems, cybersecurity solutions, quantum communications, disaster management tools, and AI-based telecom applications.
C-DOT said the facility will act as a dedicated hub for high-impact research. It will support intellectual property creation, host workshops and training sessions, and encourage knowledge-sharing between academic teams and industry partners. Officials noted that the initiative aligns with India’s goal of strengthening its leadership in global telecom innovation.
