About

Technology leader, policy architect, and institution-builder driving India's telecom transformation.

CEO, C-DOT

Telecom Technologist

R&D Leader & Stratergist

Policy Advisor

OVERVIEW

A Leader in Telecom R&D and Innovation

Leading India’s telecom R&D and shaping next-generation digital infrastructure for a secure, trusted and self-reliant digital future.

Serving as the Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of the Board at C-DOT, the premier telecom R&D centre under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Officer of the Indian Telecommunication Services (ITS), Retired, with over three decades of leadership experience across telecom, information technology, defence and broadcasting.

At C-DOT, focus is on building indigenous technologies in 6G, quantum communications, cybersecurity, AI-driven telecom systems and trusted digital infrastructure, aligned with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

Actively engaged in shaping national and global technology policy and standards, with leadership roles including:

Founding & Governing Council Member, Bharat 6G Alliance
Steering Committee Member, Bharat 6G Mission
Co-Chair, Quantum Communication Hub, National Quantum Mission
Chairman, Task Force on Quantum Migration in India
Thematic Lead, Digital Innovation Board Expert Network, ITU
Senior Member, IEEE and Member, IEEE Collaborative Activities Governance Board

Have represented India at leading international forums and chaired high-level global platforms, including the Global Standards Symposium of ITU during WTSA-2024, New Delhi.

During my tenure, C-DOT has received multiple national and international recognitions, including ITU WSIS Champion Awards, IEEE recognitions, Golden Peacock Awards, and ET Telecom & DigiTech Awards, for innovations across quantum communications, cybersecurity, AI-driven telecom systems, public alerting platforms and indigenous digital solutions.

I am an alumnus of IIT Roorkee and IIM Bangalore, and hold a Ph.D. in Corporate Strategy & Policy. I am a recipient of the J.C. Bose Award (Ministry of Defence), National e-Governance Award, CIO-100 Award, and the Deepak C. Jain Award (IIM Bangalore).

Career Journey

Oct 2020 – Present

Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of the Board

Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India

Leading India’s premier telecom R&D organisation focused on 6G, quantum communications, cybersecurity and secure telecom platforms
Driving indigenous technology development aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision
Providing strategic leadership for national deployments in AI-driven telecom systems, public alerting, secure networks and post-quantum security
Representing India at global standards, policy and innovation forums, including ITU and IEEE
Building strong ecosystems across government, industry, academia and global institutions

Sep 2017 – Oct 2020

Additional Director General – Doordarshan & All India Radio (South India)

Prasar Bharati, Government of India

Led broadcast operations and digital transformation initiatives across South India
Oversaw high-impact public service broadcasting, national outreach and content modernisation

Jan 2011 – Aug 2017

Advisor / Deputy Director General

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) & Department of Telecommunications (DoT)

Contributed to telecom policy formulation, regulation and sectoral reforms
Played a key role in spectrum policy and auction frameworks, including 3G and BWA
Worked on telecom security frameworks, broadband policy and convergence issues

Mar 2001 - Dec 2010

Deputy General Manager

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)

Contributed to telecom policy formulation, regulation and sectoral reforms
Played a key role in spectrum policy and auction frameworks, including 3G and BWA
Worked on telecom security frameworks, broadband policy and convergence issues

Apr 1997 – Feb 2001

Telecom District Manager

Department of Telecommunications (DoT)

Overall responsibility for telecom operations and business management at the district level
Led service expansion, network operations and customer service delivery

Jan 1992 – Mar 1997

Divisional Engineer / Assistant Divisional Engineer

Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India

Held progressive engineering roles across telecom operations and projects
Managed network operations, maintenance and new project implementation
Supported expansion of telecom infrastructure at the field level

1988 – 1991

Scientist

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India

Worked on software design and development for defence technology projects

1987 – 1988

Fellow

Indian Armament Institute, Pune - Ministry of Defence, Government of India

Completed advanced training in defence technologies and leadership development