C-DOT Establishes 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 collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR). They signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) on the IIT Roorkee campus. This initiative aims to accelerate indigenous research, innovation, and capacity building in advanced communication technologies.
Objectives of the Centre of Excellence
The primary goal of the C-DOT Centre of Excellence is to foster high-impact research in several key areas:
- Wireless Communication
- Quantum Technologies
- Cybersecurity
- AI-based Applications
By focusing on these areas, the CoE aims to strengthen India’s position in global telecom innovation and contribute to the nation’s technological self-reliance.
Promoting Academia-Industry Synergy
The establishment of the CoE is expected to promote synergy between academia and industry. It will leverage the academic expertise of IITR and the industry strength of C-DOT, enabling students, researchers, and start-ups to play a vital role in India’s innovation journey.
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.” He emphasized that the partnership aims to 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.
Research and Development Focus Areas
The CoE will drive joint research and prototype development in several emerging domains, including:
- 5G and 6G Technologies
- RF-sub-THz Integrated Circuits
- Sensors
- Millimetre-Wave Beamforming Antennas with Integrated ICs
- Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication
- Data-Driven Wireless Communication Technologies
- Energy Efficiency Solutions
These focus areas are critical for advancing India’s telecommunications infrastructure and capabilities.
Support for Start-Ups and Knowledge Exchange
The CoE will serve as a dedicated hub for high-impact research and development. It will support start-ups by:
- Developing Intellectual Property
- Enabling Continuous Knowledge Exchange
- Conducting Workshops and Training Programs
- Facilitating Joint Academic-Industry Engagements
This initiative is expected to create a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in the telecommunications sector.
Significance for IIT Roorkee
The collaboration marks an important milestone for IIT Roorkee. Professor K.K. Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, stated, “This collaboration marks an important milestone for IIT Roorkee as we join hands with C-DOT to advance India’s next-generation telecom capabilities.” He highlighted IIT Roorkee’s strong legacy in communication engineering, semiconductor technologies, and emerging wireless systems as complementary to C-DOT’s national mission for secure, indigenous, and future-ready telecom solutions.
Conclusion
The establishment of the Centre of Excellence at IIT Roorkee represents a significant step towards enhancing India’s capabilities in advanced communication technologies. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, the CoE aims to drive innovation, support start-ups, and ultimately contribute to India’s self-reliance in telecommunications.
Note: This article is based on information from the Centre for Development of Telematics and the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. All facts and statements have been verified as of the publication date.
