‘The cultural shift has been central to C-DOT’s revival’

In an era defined by digital sovereignty and secure networks, C-DOT has emerged as India's strategic telecom R&D force and the Voice&Data Pathbreaker of the Year for 2024. Under the leadership of its CEO, Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, the institution has evolved from a legacy body into a national innovation engine. From 4G core and IMS deployments to quantum communication and cyber intelligence platforms, C-DOT is developing solutions that address both technological and strategic imperatives. In this wide-ranging conversation with Shubhendu Parth, he shares insights into C-DOT's transformation, its collaborative model, and the core technologies it is working on. Excerpts:

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Voice&Data Award celebrates both individual leadership and institutional transformation. How do you view this recognition in the context of C-DOT’s evolving role in India’s digital communications landscape?

I consider this recognition an honour not just for myself, but for the C-DOT team. It validates our longstanding commitment to building indigenous technology solutions that serve India’s larger strategic needs. It is a tribute to C-DOT's mission and our contribution to nation-building.

Back in the 1990s, we revolutionised rural telecom, and the same spirit is now driving us once again. Our focus is aligned with the Prime Minister's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. We see ourselves as active contributors to this larger national mission, and I must emphasise that none of this would have been possible without the phenomenal support from the government.

This award energises our engineers and reinforces our belief that we are on the right path. It is not the end, but the beginning of a renewed push to build cutting-edge telecom innovations for India.

C-DOT’s revival is truly inspiring—from being a legacy institution to driving cutting-edge technology. What strategic shifts enabled this remarkable transformation?

Several factors contribute to this transformation, but I would attribute it primarily to the government's clear and consistent support. The push towards developing indigenous technologies has been a big motivator, and the clarity from the government made a significant difference.

It started with three fundamental pivots. First, we focused on our people. We addressed their concerns, provided them with the tools and freedom to innovate, and fostered a culture of trust. My leadership style is facilitative—I enable my leaders, rather than micromanaging them.