DoT Delegation Visits IIT Mandi To Review 5G Use-Case Labs, Boost India’s 6G Research Push
On February 5, 2026, the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) welcomed a high-level delegation from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for an official visit aimed at reviewing the Institute’s initiatives in advanced telecommunications. The delegation’s primary focus was the evaluation of the 5G Use Case Lab established under the DoT’s flagship initiative, as well as interactions with students involved in the Sanchar Mitra program.
Delegation Overview
The delegation was led by Shri Anil Kumar Gupta, Additional Director General Telecom (Addl. DGT) and Advisor for Himachal Pradesh Licensed Service Area (LSA). He was accompanied by:
- Shri Sandeep Arya, Deputy Director General (Technology)
- Shri Ramesh Kumar, Assistant Director (Technology)
During their visit, the delegation engaged with IIT Mandi leadership, faculty members from the School of Computing and Electrical Engineering (SCEE), and students. They reviewed the technical infrastructure and ongoing activities within the 5G and emerging 6G research ecosystem.
Insights from IIT Mandi Leadership
Dr. Adarsh Patel, Assistant Professor at SCEE and Nodal Officer of the 5G Use Case Lab and Sanchar Mitra program, provided a comprehensive briefing to the delegation regarding the lab’s academic and research initiatives. He emphasized the active participation of both faculty and students in these initiatives.
Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director of IIT Mandi, remarked, “At IIT Mandi, we view next-generation communication research as both a scientific and national responsibility. Our collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications enables us to align rigorous academic inquiry with India’s priorities for 5G, 6G, and long-term digital self-reliance.”
Collaboration for Technological Advancement
Discussions during the visit highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration among government, academia, startups, and youth to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies. Shri Anil Kumar Gupta noted that the establishment of 5G Use Case Labs in higher educational institutions is intended to build competencies in 5G technologies, allowing students to gain practical experience in real-world 5G environments.
He further emphasized that these labs are also accessible to startups, MSMEs, and industry stakeholders, reinforcing the DoT’s commitment to fostering industry-academia collaboration and innovation-driven growth.
Advancing India’s 6G Vision
Faculty discussions centered around advancing India’s 6G vision through sustained academic research. Key faculty members, including Dr. Aditya Nigam (Chairperson, SCEE), Dr. Adarsh Patel, and Dr. Pavan Reddy, highlighted the lab’s role in supporting academic projects, innovation, and scalable real-world 5G use cases. They stressed the necessity for an end-to-end indigenous technology stack for future 6G systems.
In addition, faculty members outlined ongoing collaborations with the DoT and C-DOT under initiatives such as the Telecommunications Technology Development Fund (TTDF). Over the past year, researchers, including Dr. Adarsh Patel and Dr. Rahul Shrestha, have secured over ₹4 crore in funding for next-generation telecom research.
Engagement with Sanchar Mitra Students
The delegation also interacted with Sanchar Mitra students, who are actively promoting awareness of citizen-centric DoT services such as Sanchar Saathi. This initiative addresses issues like digital fraud, online scams, and grievance redressal. The delegation appreciated the outreach efforts and community impact of the Sanchar Mitra team and felicitated them for their exemplary service.
Conclusion of the Visit
The visit underscored IIT Mandi’s alignment with the DoT in strengthening telecom security, enhancing rural connectivity, and advancing national initiatives such as Digital India, Viksit Bharat, and the Bharat 6G Vision. The collaborative efforts between the DoT and IIT Mandi are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of telecommunications in India.
Note: This article is based on information available as of February 2026 and reflects the ongoing efforts in telecommunications research and development in India.
