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C-DOT signs MoU with IISc Bengaluru and FSID to establish Centre of Excellence for indigenous telecom R&D

UPSC / SSC current affairs note

Science and TechnologyGovernment Policies and Interventions

Why in news

C-DOT, the premier telecom R&D centre under DoT, has signed a tripartite agreement with IISc Bengaluru and FSID to set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at IISc. This CoE will focus on advanced communication technologies, boosting indigenous innovation and self-reliance in telecom, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Background

C-DOT has previously established similar CoEs with IIT Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur, IIT Gandhinagar, and IIT Roorkee. The new CoE at IISc is the fifth such centre, reflecting C-DOT's ongoing commitment to building a national innovation ecosystem in telecom.

Key facts

in5points
  1. C-DOT signed a tripartite MoU with IISc Bengaluru and Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE).

  2. The CoE will focus on wireless communication, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, and AI-driven communication systems.

  3. Research areas include 5G Advanced/6G, very large-scale MIMO, integrated sensing and communication, AI-based networks, and quantum/post-quantum communication.

  4. The CoE aims to accelerate development of future-ready communication technologies, generate IP, support deep-tech startups, and foster academic-industry collaboration.

  5. This is the fifth CoE established by C-DOT; earlier ones were with IIT Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur, IIT Gandhinagar, and IIT Roorkee.

  6. The MoU was signed in the presence of C-DOT CEO Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, FSID CEO Shri Omprakash Subbarao, and IISc faculty.

  7. Dr. Upadhyay delivered a special lecture on 'Role of C-DOT in building secure indigenous communication technologies for Viksit Bharat'.

  8. The CoE will facilitate knowledge exchange through collaborative research, workshops, training programs, and industry engagement.

Prelims pointers

  • C-DOT: Centre for Development of Telematics, under Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications.
  • FSID: Foundation for Science Innovation and Development, a Section 8 company at IISc.
  • IISc Bengaluru: Indian Institute of Science, premier research institute.
  • CoE: Centre of Excellence.
  • 5G Advanced/6G: next-generation telecom technologies.
  • MIMO: Multiple Input Multiple Output.
  • Viksit Bharat: Government's vision for a developed India.

Mains angles

  • Discuss the role of C-DOT in promoting indigenous telecom R&D and achieving self-reliance in communication technologies.
  • Examine the significance of academic-industry collaboration in fostering innovation in emerging technologies like 6G, quantum communication, and AI-driven networks.
  • Analyse how Centres of Excellence can contribute to India's digital transformation and the goal of Viksit Bharat.
C-DOT signs MoU with IISc Bengaluru and FSID to establish Centre of Excellence for indigenous telecom R&D — UPSC Current Affairs · in5points