Table of Contents
Relevance: GS Paper III – Science and Technology | Artificial Intelligence | Cybersecurity | Indigenisation of Technology
For Prelims: Cyber-Physical Systems | NM-ICPS | Technology Innovation Hubs | TTRPs | CHANAKYA Fellowship | BharatGen | Digital Twin
For Mains: Technology Sovereignty | Translational Research | Industry–Academia Collaboration | Critical Infrastructure | Indigenous Innovation | Viksit Bharat
Why in News?
India is expanding its indigenous Cyber-Physical Systems ecosystem through the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). Its Technology Innovation Hubs and Technology Translation Research Parks are converting research into practical applications across healthcare, agriculture, mining, communications, cybersecurity and mobility.
What are Cyber-Physical Systems?
A Cyber-Physical System (CPS) integrates computing and communication technologies with physical machines and processes.
It enables a machine or system to:
- sense its surroundings;
- collect real-time data;
- analyse the information;
- take decisions; and
- respond automatically to changing conditions.
Thus, CPS connects the digital world with the physical world.
Examples
- Driverless vehicles navigating roads
- Smart factories adjusting production automatically
- Medical devices monitoring patients continuously
- Smart buildings regulating lighting and temperature
- Cleaning robots and fitness trackers
Core Components of CPS
| Component | Function |
| Sensors | Collect data from the physical environment |
| Computing system | Processes and analyses the data |
| Communication network | Transfers data between connected devices |
| Software and AI | Supports decision-making |
| Actuators | Carry out the required physical response |
CPS differs from ordinary automation because it continuously observes, analyses and responds to real-world conditions.
National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) implements NM-ICPS.
Key Facts
- Approved: 2018
- Duration: Nine years
- Financial outlay: ₹3,660 crore
- Technology Innovation Hubs: 25
- Implementing department: Department of Science and Technology
The Mission connects academia, industry, government and international organisations. It covers the entire innovation process—from research and development to product creation, commercialisation and start-up incubation.
Major Objectives
- Build indigenous CPS capabilities.
- Develop technologies of national importance.
- Create specialised human resources.
- Establish interdisciplinary Centres of Excellence.
- Translate research into commercially useful products.
- Promote entrepreneurship and start-ups.
- Address critical national challenges through technology.
Technology Innovation Hubs
NM-ICPS has established 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) at leading academic institutions. These hubs operate as Section 8 companies.
Their work covers four major areas:
- technology development;
- human-resource and skill development;
- entrepreneurship and start-up incubation; and
- international collaboration.
The hubs also work with government ministries to identify national problems and develop practical technological solutions.
Technology Translation Research Parks
In 2025, four high-performing TIHs were upgraded and supported as Technology Translation Research Parks (TTRPs).
Their purpose is to accelerate the validation, deployment and commercialisation of promising technologies.
| Institution | Specialised domain |
| IIT Kanpur | Cybersecurity |
| IISc Bengaluru | Robotics and AI systems |
| IIT (ISM) Dhanbad | Mining technologies |
| IIT Indore | Digital healthcare |
Achievements of NM-ICPS
As of August 2026, the Mission had:
- enabled 1,146 technologies;
- contributed to 1,329 technology products;
- awarded 5,824 CHANAKYA fellowships;
- trained more than 2.46 lakh professionals;
- incubated 1,136 start-ups and spin-offs;
- contributed to over 24,000 jobs; and
- established 200 international collaborations.
Its technologies cover agriculture, healthcare, mining, cybersecurity, communication and positioning.
CHANAKYA Fellowship Programme
CHANAKYA stands for Comprehensive and Holistic Advancement of National Knowledge Yield and Analytics.
The programme supports:
- undergraduate students;
- postgraduate students;
- doctoral researchers; and
- postdoctoral researchers.
It funds research projects addressing real-world CPS challenges through specialised Technology Innovation Hubs.
BharatGen: Indigenous AI for CPS
- BharatGen, supported under NM-ICPS, is developing sovereign artificial-intelligence capabilities suited to Indian languages and contexts.
- It is led by IIT Bombay through a consortium of academic institutions and covers text, speech and vision-language technologies.
Major Models
| Model | Purpose |
| Param-2 | Foundation model with 17 billion parameters; supports all 22 Scheduled Indian languages |
| Shrutam | Speech-to-text model supporting 12 Indian languages |
| Sooktam | Text-to-speech model supporting 12 Indian languages |
| Patram | Multilingual access to complex Indian documents under the DocBodh framework |
| Ayur Param | AI model for Ayurveda |
| Agri Param | AI model for agriculture |
| Legal Param | AI model for the Indian legal domain |
BharatGen can improve human-machine interaction and enable locally relevant decision-making in healthcare, agriculture and governance.
Major Applications of CPS
Healthcare
The Drishti CPS Foundation at IIT Indore has developed CharakDT, a digital twin of the human body. It simulates organs such as the lungs, eyes and heart to study disease progression and test treatments virtually.
A digital twin is a virtual copy of a physical object, process or system. It uses real-time sensor data to represent and analyse how the physical system behaves.
Agriculture
IIT Bombay has developed an Agri-IoT Farm Management System that monitors:
- soil conditions;
- weather; and
- farm-level microclimate.
It supports the efficient use of water and fertilisers while improving agricultural productivity.
Mining
The TEXMiN hub at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad has developed drones capable of transmitting data up to 50 kilometres. They allow real-time monitoring while reducing workers’ exposure to hazardous mining locations.
Advanced Communication
IIIT Bengaluru has developed an indigenous 5G-Advanced ORAN Massive MIMO Radio Unit (32TR RU).
It can support reliable, high-speed and cost-effective 5G connectivity, particularly in underserved and remote regions.
Cybersecurity
The IHUB NTIHAC Foundation at IIT Kanpur is developing technologies to secure CPS and critical infrastructure.
Its major initiatives include:
- an IT-OT Security Operations Centre for continuous monitoring; and
- crypto-forensic tools to assist law-enforcement agencies in investigating cryptocurrency-related crimes.
Mobility and Autonomous Systems
- The TiHAN Foundation at IIT Hyderabad has established India’s first dedicated proving ground for autonomous navigation. It tests aerial and ground-based autonomous vehicles before deployment.
- The IISc Bengaluru-based robotics hub has developed the iRASTE application, which identifies accident-prone locations and provides real-time alerts to drivers. It is being piloted in Nagpur.
Significance for India
- Technological self-reliance: Reduces dependence on imported critical technologies.
- Research commercialisation: Connects laboratories with industry and markets.
- Improved public services: Supports smarter healthcare, agriculture, transport and infrastructure.
- Industrial modernisation: Enables intelligent factories, mining and communication systems.
- Start-up growth: Converts research ideas into products and enterprises.
- Skilled employment: Creates specialised capabilities in AI, robotics and cybersecurity.
- National security: Strengthens protection of connected critical infrastructure.
- Linguistic inclusion: BharatGen makes intelligent systems accessible in Indian languages.
Challenges
- High research, testing and deployment costs
- Shortage of specialised interdisciplinary skills
- Cyberattacks against connected critical infrastructure
- Privacy risks arising from continuous data collection
- Lack of common technical and safety standards
- Limited transfer of research from laboratories to markets
- Dependence on imported sensors, chips and advanced components
- Digital connectivity gaps in remote areas
- Difficulty in assigning liability when autonomous systems fail
Way Forward
- Develop common standards for safety, interoperability and accountability.
- Adopt security-by-design for all critical CPS infrastructure.
- Strengthen domestic production of sensors, chips and communication equipment.
- Expand testing facilities and regulatory sandboxes.
- Improve coordination among research institutions, industry and government.
- Support start-ups through patient capital and public procurement.
- Develop interdisciplinary courses combining engineering, AI and cybersecurity.
- Establish strong data-protection and ethical-governance mechanisms.
- Expand CPS applications in agriculture, healthcare and disaster management.
- Promote multilingual and locally relevant solutions through BharatGen.
Conclusion
Cyber-Physical Systems are transforming machines into intelligent and responsive networks. Through NM-ICPS, TIHs, TTRPs and BharatGen, India is building an indigenous ecosystem that connects research, talent, enterprise and public needs. Secure and inclusive deployment of CPS can support a technology-driven and self-reliant Viksit Bharat.
CARE MCQ
Q1. Consider the following statements regarding NM-ICPS:
- It is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology.
- Technology Innovation Hubs under the Mission operate as Section 8 companies.
- The Mission deals exclusively with cybersecurity.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Mission covers healthcare, agriculture, mining, communication, robotics, mobility and cybersecurity.
Q2. Match the following institutions with their Technology Translation Research Park domains:
- IIT Kanpur — Cybersecurity
- IISc Bengaluru — Robotics and AI
- IIT Indore — Digital healthcare
- IIT (ISM) Dhanbad — Mining technologies
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (d) All four
Explanation: Each of the four institutions specialises in the correctly matched CPS domain.
FAQs
1. What is a Cyber-Physical System?
It is a system that integrates computing, communication and physical processes to sense, analyse and respond in real time.
2. Which department implements NM-ICPS?
The Department of Science and Technology implements the Mission.
3. What are Technology Innovation Hubs?
They are specialised Section 8 companies hosted by academic institutions to promote technology, skills, start-ups and collaboration.
4. What is a Technology Translation Research Park?
It helps convert promising research into tested, deployable and commercially useful technologies.
5. What is BharatGen?
It is an indigenous AI initiative developing multilingual and multimodal models suited to Indian languages and sectors.
6. What is a digital twin?
It is a live virtual representation of a physical object, process or system created using real-time data.
