DoT and C-DOT Sign Pact for Indigenous Optical Network Testbed

What Happened?

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) signed a strategic five-year agreement with the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) on 27 August 2026 to establish a state-of-the-art end-to-end Optical Network Testbed at the C-DOT campus in New Delhi.

Key Highlights

• The testbed will serve as a real-world environment to test, validate, and commercialise indigenous optical communication technologies.
• It integrates optical core, optical access, and quantum security technologies.
• The project is structured in two phases: two years for infrastructure setup, followed by three years of operations and outreach.
• C-DOT, established in 1984 under DoT, is headquartered in New Delhi.
• The initiative supports the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) vision in next-generation communication infrastructure.

TNPSC Relevance

C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics) is India's premier telecom R&D centre under the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications.

3 TNPSC MCQs

1. Which two entities signed the agreement for the optical network testbed?
   (a) DoT and ISRO (b) DoT and C-DOT (c) MeitY and C-DAC (d) TRAI and BSNL
   Answer: (b) DoT and C-DOT
   Explanation: The Department of Telecommunications signed the pact with C-DOT.
2. C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics) was established in which year?
   (a) 1975 (b) 1984 (c) 1991 (d) 2000
   Answer: (b) 1984
   Explanation: C-DOT was established in 1984 under the Department of Telecommunications.
3. The optical network testbed initiative primarily supports which national vision?
   (a) Digital India (b) Aatmanirbhar Bharat (c) Skill India (d) Make in India 2.0
   Answer: (b) Aatmanirbhar Bharat
   Explanation: It aims to advance self-reliance in optical communication technology.