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 collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR) to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) on the IITR campus. This initiative aims to enhance 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 accelerate the development of advanced communication technologies in India. The CoE will focus on several key areas:
- Wireless communication
- Quantum technologies
- Cybersecurity
- AI-based applications
Promoting Academia-Industry Synergy
According to the announcement, establishing the CoE will promote synergy between academia and industry. This collaboration will leverage the academic expertise of IITR and the industry strengths of C-DOT. The initiative is designed to enable students, researchers, and start-ups to contribute to India’s innovation and self-reliance journey.
By fostering this collaboration, the CoE aims to strengthen India’s leadership position in global telecom innovation.
Research and Development Focus Areas
The Centre of Excellence will drive joint research and prototype development in several emerging domains, including:
- 5G and 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
Statements from Key Officials
Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “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.”
Professor K.K. Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, also commented on the partnership, saying, “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.”
Impact on Start-ups and Knowledge Exchange
The CoE is set to serve as a dedicated hub for high-impact research and development. It will support start-ups, develop intellectual property, and facilitate continuous knowledge exchange through various initiatives, including:
- Workshops
- Training programs
- Joint academic-industry engagements
This holistic approach aims to strengthen India’s leadership position in global telecom innovation and contribute significantly to the nation’s technological self-reliance.
Conclusion
The establishment of the C-DOT Centre of Excellence at IIT Roorkee represents a pivotal moment in India’s journey towards becoming a leader in advanced communication technologies. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, this initiative is poised to drive innovation, enhance research capabilities, and ultimately contribute to the nation’s self-reliance in the telecommunications sector.
Note: This article reflects information available as of November 27, 2025, regarding the establishment of the Centre of Excellence at IIT Roorkee.
