C-DoT to Establish Centre of Excellence at IIT Roorkee for High-End Research
On November 27, 2025, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) announced a significant partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) on the IIT Roorkee campus. This initiative aims to enhance indigenous research, innovation, and capacity building in advanced communication technologies.
Objectives of the Centre of Excellence
The primary objective of the C-DoT Centre of Excellence is to:
- Accelerate indigenous research and innovation in communication technologies.
- Build capacity in advanced fields such as wireless communication, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, and AI-based applications.
- Promote collaboration between academia and industry, leveraging the strengths of both C-DoT and IIT Roorkee.
- Support students, researchers, and start-ups in contributing to India’s journey towards innovation and self-reliance.
Focus Areas of Research
The CoE will focus on several key areas of research, including:
- 5G and 6G technologies
- RF-sub-THz integrated circuits
- Sensors and millimetre-wave beamforming antennas with integrated ICs
- Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication
- Data-driven wireless communication technologies
- Energy efficiency in communication systems
Significance of the Collaboration
This collaboration is seen as a crucial step in enhancing India’s position in global telecom innovation. According to Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DoT, “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.”
Building a Dedicated Hub for R&D
The Centre of Excellence will serve as a dedicated hub for high-impact research and development. Its objectives include:
- Supporting start-ups in the telecom sector.
- Developing intellectual property in communication technologies.
- Enabling continuous knowledge exchange through workshops and training programs.
- Facilitating joint academic-industry engagements.
Strengthening India’s Technological Self-Reliance
The establishment of the CoE is expected to contribute significantly to India’s technological self-reliance. Professor K.K. Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, 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.”
Future Prospects
As the CoE begins its operations, it is expected to foster a culture of innovation and research excellence in the telecom sector. The collaboration will not only enhance the capabilities of IIT Roorkee and C-DoT but will also create a ripple effect across the Indian telecom landscape. The focus on indigenous solutions is anticipated to reduce reliance on foreign technologies and promote self-sufficiency in the sector.
Conclusion
The establishment of the C-DoT Centre of Excellence at IIT Roorkee represents a pivotal moment for India’s telecom industry. By harnessing the combined strengths of academia and industry, this initiative aims to position India as a leader in advanced communication technologies. The CoE will play a crucial role in driving innovation, enhancing research capabilities, and supporting the growth of start-ups in the telecom sector, ultimately contributing to the nation’s goal of technological self-reliance.
Note: This article is based on information available as of November 2025 and is intended for informational purposes only.
