India Strengthens Telecom Security: FSID and C-DOT Partner with IISc on Quantum-Ready CoE

FSID and C-DOT have signed an agreement to establish a new Centre of Excellence (CoE) at IISc Bengaluru, focusing on advanced telecom research in 5G, 6G, AI, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies. This marks C-DOT’s fifth CoE in India, strengthening academia–industry collaboration and boosting indigenous telecom innovation.

Notably, C-DOT has established a total of five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in recent times — four at IITs (Kanpur, Gandhinagar, Roorkee, and Hyderabad) and the latest one at IISc Bengaluru in partnership with FSID.

India is positioning itself as a leader in 6G, AI-driven networks, and quantum-ready communication systems. In just over a year, C-DOT has rolled out five CoEs, signaling aggressive investment in next-gen telecom R&D. With focus on cybersecurity and post-quantum cryptography ensuring readiness against future threats, Each CoE is designed to support MSMEs, startups, and academia, fostering indigenous innovation.

Key Highlights of the Pact

• Centre of Excellence at IISc: Hosted by FSID, dedicated to advanced communication technologies.
• Research Focus: Wireless communications, AI-integrated networks, cybersecurity, quantum and post-quantum communication.
• Prototype Development: Supporting startups, MSMEs, and academic-industry collaborations.
• Leadership: Agreement signed by FSID CEO Omprakash Subbarao and C-DOT CEO Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay.
• National Impact: Strengthening India’s technological self-reliance in telecom.

Strategic Importance

• Fifth CoE by C-DOT: Previous centres at IIT Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur, IIT Gandhinagar, and IIT Roorkee.
• Indigenous Innovation: Reduces dependence on foreign telecom systems.
• Knowledge Exchange: Workshops, training programmes, and collaborative research with IISc faculty and students.
• Long-Term Vision: Research in 5G Advanced, 6G rollout, large-scale MIMO systems, and secure communication networks.

Voices from the Collaboration

• Omprakash Subbarao (FSID CEO): Emphasized bridging industry–research gaps and promoting joint innovation.
• Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay (C-DOT CEO): Highlighted combining IISc’s academic excellence with C-DOT’s telecom expertise to build homegrown technologies.
• Prof Neelesh B Mehta (IISc): Stressed long-term partnerships between IISc faculty, students, and C-DOT experts.

Comparison with Other CoEs

Institution	Focus Areas	Impact
IIT Hyderabad	6G, AI, quantum research	National hub for futuristic telecom
IIT Kanpur	Cybersecurity, IoT	Strengthening secure networks
IIT Gandhinagar	Wireless systems	Advanced communication prototypes
IIT Roorkee	AI-driven telecom	Industry–academia collaboration
IISc Bengaluru (FSID)	5G Advanced, 6G, quantum, AI	Indigenous innovation, startups, IP creation

Why It Matters for India

• Telecom as critical infrastructure: Essential for economic growth and national security.
• Quantum threat readiness: Preparing for post-quantum cryptography and secure communication.
• Boost for startups: Access to cutting-edge infrastructure and collaborative research opportunities.
• Global positioning: India aims to lead in 6G and AI-driven telecom technologies.

C-DOT has recently entered several major partnerships beyond IISc, including collaborations with Delhi Police for smart policing, Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) for cybersecurity and quantum research, and IIT Hyderabad for a telecom innovation CoE. These alliances highlight its push into security, AI, and next‑gen telecom.

To recall, earlier this year C-DOT signed an agreement with Synergy Quantum India Private Limited to jointly develop a quantum vulnerability detection tool. Prior to this, in May last year, C-DOT partnered Synergy Quantum India to develop drone-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems.

In March 2024, C-DOT signed a major partnership with Qualcomm Technologies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The MoU focuses on strengthening India’s telecom ecosystem by supporting startups, academia, and OEMs with Qualcomm’s chip technologies, IP training, and commercialization support.

India Launches Indigenous Cell Broadcast System to Strengthen Disaster Alerts

India has officially launched its indigenous Cell Broadcast System (CBS), a nationwide disaster alert mechanism that delivers real-time, geo-targeted emergency warnings directly to citizens’ mobile phones. The initiative, led by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, marks a major leap in India’s disaster preparedness and public safety infrastructure.

Key Highlights of the Launch

• Date & Venue: Launched on May 2, 2026 in New Delhi.
• Leadership: Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated the system under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
• Developers: Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), in collaboration with NDMA and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Coverage: Operational across all 36 States and Union Territories.
• Technology Base: Built on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), aligned with UN’s “Early Warnings for All” initiative.

How CBS Works

If you receive a message like this on your phone, it is a test alert as part of India’s new nationwide mobile-based Disaster Communication System, developed by the @cdot_india team at @DoT_India with @ndmaindia, using cell broadcast technology.

This system will henceforth be… pic.twitter.com/eweuvJA12r

— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) May 2, 2026

• Geo-Targeted Alerts: Messages broadcast simultaneously to all mobile devices in a defined area.
• Speed: Delivered in near real-time, unaffected by network congestion.
• Reach: Works across 2G to 5G networks, covering urban, rural, and roaming populations.
• Priority Notifications: Alerts appear as pop-up messages with loud tones, ensuring visibility.
• Multilingual Support: Enables dissemination in multiple languages for inclusivity.

Disaster Preparedness Impact

• Proactive Approach: Marks India’s shift from reactive to proactive disaster management.
• Use Cases: Effective during cyclones, floods, earthquakes, industrial hazards, and chemical leaks.
• Trials: Successfully tested in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and during the Char Dham Yatra.
• Global Demonstrations: Showcased in Mauritius, Cambodia, El Salvador, and Sri Lanka.

Additional Announcements

• Awards: Presentation of the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar (SCBAPP) to individuals and organizations for contributions in disaster management.
• Guidelines Released: New Handbook on Disaster Management unveiled to strengthen institutional frameworks.

Why CBS Matters

Feature	SMS Alerts	Cell Broadcast System
Delivery Speed	Delayed, queued	Near real-time
Network Dependence	Affected by congestion	Independent of congestion
Coverage	Individual recipients	All devices in target area
Scalability	Limited	Nationwide, multilingual
Reliability	Variable	High, standardized

In essence, CBS is India’s most advanced step yet in ensuring that critical disaster alerts reach citizens instantly, saving lives and reducing panic during emergencies.

C-DOT and Ahmedabad-based Jumps Automation to Launch Gamified Cybersecurity Awareness Platform

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has signed a landmark MoU with Jumps Automation to jointly develop a gamified cybersecurity awareness platform, combining indigenous telecom R&D with AI-driven automation to strengthen India’s cyber resilience.

Jumps Automation LLP is a young Indian technology solutions company, founded in 2024 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, specializing in AI, automation, and enterprise software development. It focuses on delivering innovative, data‑driven solutions to solve complex business and societal challenges.

The upcoming gamification platform will feature a gaming arena, leaderboards, learning management system, discussion forums, and realistic simulation-based scenarios for creating cyber awareness and enhance cybersecurity preparedness of organisations

Key Highlights of the Collaboration

• Date & Venue: MoU signed on 20 April 2026 at C-DOT facilities in New Delhi.
• Parties Involved: C-DOT (India’s premier telecom R&D centre) and Jumps Automation LLP (AI and automation solutions provider).
• Leaders Present: Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay (CEO, C-DOT), Mr. Rohan Chandak (Head of Technology, Jumps Automation), board members, and senior officials.

Objectives of the Partnership

• Enhancing cybersecurity awareness through interactive, gamified learning experiences.
• Strengthening preparedness and resilience against cyber threats.
• Supporting the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by leveraging indigenous technology.

Features of the Gamification Platform

• Gaming arena and leaderboards for engagement.
• Learning management system and discussion forums.
• Simulation-based scenarios covering phishing, social engineering, malware response, and crisis management.
• AI-driven behavioural analytics to evaluate performance and adjust challenge complexity.
• Reward and tracking system to monitor progress and drive behavioural change.

Strategic Significance

• C-DOT provides indigenous telecom and security technology expertise.
• Jumps Automation contributes AI and automation capabilities.
• Deployment planned as a commercial-grade SaaS solution with enterprise integration potential.
• Validation through end-to-end testing at C-DOT facilities in New Delhi.

Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay (C-DOT CEO): Emphasized the platform’s role in advancing cybersecurity awareness, strengthening incident response, and aligning with global best practices.

Mr. Rohan Chandak (Jumps Automation): Highlighted the transformative potential of gamification in driving behavioural change and reducing human-related cyber risks.

About the Organizations

• C-DOT: Government of India’s premier telecom R&D centre, spearheading indigenous communication technologies and collaborative research under the CCRP framework.
• Jumps Automation LLP: Specializes in AI, automation, and enterprise AI software development, delivering innovative solutions for complex business and societal challenges.

This collaboration marks a pivotal step in India’s cybersecurity journey—blending gamification, AI, and indigenous telecom expertise to build a culture of cyber resilience across enterprises and individuals.

Delhi Police Partners with C-DOT to Deploy 9 Indigenous Smart Policing Solutions

In a landmark move to strengthen technology-driven law enforcement, the Delhi Police has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier telecom R&D institution under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India. The collaboration marks a significant stride towards building a secure, indigenous, and future-ready policing ecosystem in the national capital.

Under the agreement, C-DOT will deploy nine advanced, homegrown solutions tailored to modern policing needs. These include:

1. Facial Recognition System (FRS)/FraudPro for identifying suspects, missing persons, and repeat offenders.
2. SAMVAD Unified Communication Solution enabling secure chats, calls, and data sharing across police units.
3. SAMVAD Prime, a specialized secure handset system for senior officers and operational teams.
4. C-DOT Meet, a secure video conferencing platform with collaborative features.
5. Mission Critical Services (MCX) for low-latency, secure communications during emergencies and large-scale events.
6. Intelligent Attendance System powered by facial recognition to prevent proxy marking and enhance access control.
7. Cell Broadcast Solution for geo-targeted public advisories, traffic alerts, and emergency warnings.
8. Trinetra ESOC & Trinetra 360, AI-powered cybersecurity platforms for endpoint monitoring, anomaly detection, and digital risk management.
9. Quantum Security Solutions including Compact Encryption Module (CEM), Quantum Secure Smart Video Phone (QSSVIP), and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) to ensure quantum-resilient communications.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, emphasized that the partnership reflects C-DOT’s commitment to translating indigenous innovation into real-world impact. “By deploying our advanced solutions across secure communications, AI-driven surveillance, cybersecurity, and quantum security, we are proud to contribute to building a safer, smarter, and more resilient ecosystem in Delhi,” he said.

The MoU signing was graced by Shri Satish Golchha, Commissioner of Police, Delhi, alongside senior officials from both organizations. The dignitaries reaffirmed their shared vision of creating a robust, technology-driven policing framework that could serve as a model for law enforcement agencies across India.

This collaboration not only enhances operational efficiency and public safety in Delhi but also reinforces the broader national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, showcasing how indigenous innovation can drive transformative change in critical sectors like law enforcement.

C‑DOT Teams Up with Synergy Quantum to Safeguard Defence, Telecom, and Banking from Quantum Threats

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), India’s premier telecom R&D body under the Department of Telecommunications, has signed an agreement with Synergy Quantum India Private Limited to jointly develop a quantum vulnerability detection tool.

Key Highlights of the Partnership

• Scope: It targets sectors like defence, telecom, and banking, where future quantum computing capabilities could break existing encryption methods.
• Functionality: The automated system will scan cryptographic mechanisms, flag vulnerabilities, and distinguish between quantum-safe and quantum-vulnerable algorithms.
• Strategic Importance: This initiative is part of India’s broader push to strengthen cybersecurity preparedness against emerging quantum threats, ensuring resilience in national digital infrastructure.
• Outcome: The tool is expected to become a foundational capability for organizations preparing for next-generation cryptographic security.

Why It Matters

Quantum computers, once mature, could render today’s widely used encryption (like RSA and ECC) obsolete. By proactively identifying vulnerable algorithms, India is positioning itself to transition toward quantum-safe cryptography before such threats materialize.

Here’s a deeper look at the quantum vulnerability detection tool being developed by C-DOT and Synergy Quantum, along with a global analogy to similar initiatives:

About the Tool

• Automated Detection: Scans devices, networks, and infrastructure to identify cryptographic algorithms in use.
• Classification: Distinguishes between quantum‑safe and quantum‑vulnerable algorithms (e.g., RSA, ECC).
• Reporting: Flags vulnerabilities and provides actionable insights for migration to post‑quantum cryptography (PQC).
• Target Sectors: Defence, telecom, and banking — areas most at risk if quantum computers break classical encryption.
• Strategic Role: Serves as a foundational capability for India’s cybersecurity ecosystem, enabling proactive transition before quantum threats materialize.

Global Analogies

India’s move mirrors efforts in other regions where governments and companies are preparing for the post‑quantum era:

Region / Organization	Initiative	Focus
United States (NIST)	Post‑Quantum Cryptography Standardization Project	Developing global standards for quantum‑resistant algorithms.
European Union (PQCrypto, ETSI)	Quantum‑Safe Cryptography Working Groups	Researching migration strategies for telecom and finance sectors.
China	National Quantum Communication Network	Building secure quantum key distribution (QKD) infrastructure.
UK (Quantinuum, Cambridge Quantum)	Quantum cybersecurity solutions	Commercial tools for quantum‑safe encryption and migration.
Japan (NTT, Toshiba)	Quantum key distribution trials	Integrating QKD into telecom networks.

Strategic Implication

India’s tool is unique in its automated vulnerability detection approach, complementing global PQC standardization efforts. While the US and EU focus on algorithm development and standards, India is emphasizing practical detection and migration

About Synergy Quantum

Synergy Quantum is relatively a new company, which was established in December 2022, registered in New Delhi, India. The company's private limited company, classified under research and experimental development. Synergy Quantum specializes in quantum communication and cybersecurity solutions, with emphasis on post-quantum cryptography.

Notably, the founder of Synergy Quantum India Private Limited is Jay Oberai, who also serves as the company’s CEO. He has been prominently featured in discussions on India’s quantum sovereignty and cybersecurity, including recognition by the Forbes Technology Council for his role in advancing quantum‑safe solutions.

Oberoi, a Harvard University graduate, has been seed investor in Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQC), which later merged into Quantinuum (valued at over $10 billion). This positioned him at the forefront of quantum technology investment globally.

Jai Oberoi actively advises governments and institutions in the UK, Switzerland, UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia on quantum strategy and digital infrastructure planning.

India Moves Toward Ultra-Secure Telecom: C-DOT & Synergy To Develop Drone-based Secure Communication

Big move for India's quantum-secure communication! The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier telecom R&D institution under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has recently announced partnership with Synergy Quantum India to develop drone-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems.

Drone-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a cutting-edge method for securely transmitting encryption keys using quantum mechanics, but with the added mobility of drones.

This collaboration aims to enhance secure telecom infrastructure using the BB84 protocol with polarization encoding, targeting Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or higher.

Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 refers to a stage in technology development where a system or prototype has been validated in a relevant environment. This means it has moved beyond basic lab testing and is being tested in conditions that closely resemble real-world applications.

How It Works:

The drone based quantum communication system consists of a drone (left) that generates entangled photon pairs and distributes them to ground stations. From each pair, one photon (purple beam) goes directly to the ground, while the other (pink beam) is relayed through the second drone (right).
[Image - TheQuantumInsider.com] 

1. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) ensures secure communication by using quantum properties to generate encryption keys that cannot be intercepted without detection.
2. Drones act as mobile quantum communication nodes, enabling secure key exchange over long distances, even in areas lacking traditional telecom infrastructure.

The system typically employs the BB84 protocol with polarization encoding, making it resistant to eavesdropping.

Why It Matters:

• Defense & Security: Enables encrypted communication for military and government operations.
• Emergency Response: Provides secure data transmission in disaster zones.
• Mobile Networks: Expands quantum-secure communication beyond fixed fiber-optic setups.

As part of the collaboration, C-DOT and Synergy Quantum will jointly pursue the development of quantum communications technologies optimized for drone-based deployment. The partnership will also include co-creation of research proposals for national and international grant applications and dissemination of outcomes through scholarly publications, white papers, and other platforms.

Key representatives from both organizations may also engage in delivering expert talks, short courses, and organizing symposia, conferences, and meetings on timely research themes.

The initiative aligns with India's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, fostering indigenous innovation in quantum communication. The QKD systems will be optimized for drone-based deployment, making them valuable for defense, emergency services, and government networks.

C-DOT CEO Rajkumar Upadhyay emphasized the importance of merging public R&D with private innovation, while Synergy Quantum CEO Jay Oberoi highlighted India's potential to lead in drone-based quantum-secure communications.

This partnership could be a game-changer for secure mobile data transmission as it is expected to lay the foundation for next-generation quantum-safe telecom infrastructure, revolutionizing secure data transmission for applications in defence, emergency response, critical infrastructure, and secure government communication.

C-DOT Ties with VVDN Technologies and WiSiG Networks for Indigenous Development of 5G Open RAN Under AtmaNirbhar Bharat

With an aim to build indigenous 5G network infrastructure equipment, Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), a Government of India owned telecommunications technology R&D centre, has signed an agreement with two companies — WiSig Networks Private Limited and VVDN Technologies Private Limited — for collaboration in the area of Open RAN based Radio Network for 5G solution.

This collaboration aims to leverage the technical competencies and complementary strengths of Indian R&D and industry in evolving a mutually productive alliance leading to indigenous design, development, manufacturing and deployment of cost-effective 5G products and solutions. This engagement will augment the indigenous Intellectual Property and create new avenues for wider adoption and monetization of home-grown 5G products & solutions.

WiSig Networks Private Limited is an IIT-Hyderabad incubated startup engaged in the business of developing, marketing, and offering various communications solutions including 5G Mobile Communication Products and Solutions.

VVDN Technologies Private Limited is a leading product engineering and manufacturing company in various technology domains including 5G, Networking & Wi-Fi, IoT, and cloud storage services.

Speaking at the event, Dr. RajKumar Upadhyay, Executive Director, C-DOT emphasized the key role of synergistic engagement amongst various technology stakeholders in developing all-encompassing indigenous products and solutions in an effective and expeditious manner. He said today we have taken a big step towards development of indigenous 5G technology with the involvement of Indian partners for addressing the needs of the country and exploring apping the export market. He further remarked that R&D and industry complement each other and reiterated C-DOT’s firm commitment for promoting indigenous design & development of 5G technology in line with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of “Gati Shakti” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

C-DOT has indigenously designed various cutting-edge telecom technologies including 4G solution and is keenly working in the area of 5G.

Puneet Agarwal, CEO, VVDN Technologies said that “VVDN is deeply committed to enable the 5G eco-system in India. This collaboration between C-DOT, VVDN and WiSig is another step towards making India ‘Atmanirbhar’ in the field of Telecom. VVDN will work with CDOT and WiSig in O-RU design which includes indigenously developed Hardware and software. VVDN’s design, development, manufacturing and testing capabilities in the 5G space makes it a preferred partner. It is another proud moment for VVDN”.

Prof. Kiran Kuchi, Founder of WiSig Networks, said, "WiSig is delighted to be part of this initiative led by C-DOT to build indigenous 5G network infrastructure equipment. WiSig has been pioneering the development of indigenous 5G technology since last five years which can be seen in WiSig’s contributions to 5G standardization at 3GPP, TSDSI and ITU consultations. WiSig has contributed to development of Pi/2 BPSK modulation scheme which is now mandatory in the 5G standard and have also developed a significant portfolio of 5G standard essential patents. Through this initiative WiSig Networks will offer world’s leading, trusted and advanced massive MIMO and other stacks running on multiple competitive platforms in terms of stability, reliability and performance. Our RAN solutions will address the needs of public telecom networks, trusted and critical networks as well as private networks."

In July last year, WiSig along with IIT-Hyderabad, unveiled ‘Koala’, an NB-IoT SoC (Narrowband Internet-of-Things System-on-Chip). NB-IoT is a 5G massive Machine-Type-Communication (MTC) technology that enables low-bit rate IoT applications with long-range and device battery life up to 10 years.