DoT’s NCA and IIM Calcutta Join Forces to Boost Telecom Sector Capacity

India’s telecom sector is undergoing a paradigm shift with the rollout of 5G, expansion of rural broadband, and increasing focus on cybersecurity, AI, and spectrum efficiency.

In a significant step toward strengthening India’s telecommunications and digital ecosystem, the National Communications Academy (NCA) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on capacity building, policy research, and executive education in advanced areas of telecommunications and emerging technologies.

The MoU signing ceremony was held at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Chairman of the Digital Communications Commission (DCC) and Secretary (Telecom), Department of Telecommunications.

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Leadership Witnesses a Strategic Partnership

The formal signing was conducted between:

• Prof. Alok Kumar Rai, Director of IIM Calcutta

• Shri Atul Sinha, Director General of National Communications Academy - Technology (NCA-T), Ghaziabad

Also present were:

• Prof. R. Rajesh Babu, Dean (Executive Education), IIM Calcutta

• Shri Navneet Chouhan, DDG (Training Services & Policy Research), NCA-T

• Shri Shashi Shekhar Pandey, Director (Policy Research), NCA-T

The signing of this MoU marks the beginning of a long-term academic-government partnership aimed at building institutional capacity in India’s telecom sector, driving digital innovation, and improving the human capital of public and private sector professionals engaged in communication and information technologies.

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Focus Areas of the MoU: Building Future-Ready Telecom Talent

The MoU creates a framework for joint programs and strategic initiatives in the following key areas:

• Capacity Building: Executive education programs, certification courses, and knowledge exchange initiatives to equip telecom professionals with future-ready skills

• Policy Research and Consulting: Collaborative work on telecom policy, regulation, spectrum management, and digital inclusion

• Training Programs in Emerging Technologies: Special focus on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mobile Communications, Cybersecurity, and Digital Infrastructure

• Workshops and Seminars: Organization of thematic events for knowledge dissemination and stakeholder engagement

• Academic and Research Collaboration: Faculty exchange, curriculum development, and joint research publications

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Aligning with India’s Digital Ambitions

India’s telecom sector is undergoing a paradigm shift with the rollout of 5G, expansion of rural broadband, and increasing focus on cybersecurity, AI, and spectrum efficiency. In this context, the collaboration between a premier B-school like IIM Calcutta and the National Communications Academy serves to bridge the gap between technology and policy, aligning academic expertise with the practical demands of the telecom industry.

According to officials present, this initiative will also contribute to:

• Building a digitally literate and innovation-capable workforce

• Creating policy inputs for the National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP)

• Supporting Make in India and Digital India missions through knowledge empowerment

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NCA-T and IIM Calcutta: A Powerful Synergy

The National Communications Academy - Technology (NCA-T) is the apex training institution under DoT that trains officers from the Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS) and other government departments. With its mandate to promote excellence in telecom capacity building, NCA-T has consistently supported the professional development of public sector telecom leaders.

IIM Calcutta, one of India’s premier management institutes, brings to the table its deep expertise in executive education, policy analysis, and strategic leadership development. Its collaboration with NCA is expected to bring new perspectives and research rigor to telecom sector reform and modernization efforts.

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Expert Voices on the Significance of the MoU

Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom), noted that the partnership will create “a unique and much-needed platform to align academic strength with policy and operational needs of India’s fast-evolving telecom sector.”

Prof. Alok Kumar Rai emphasized that IIM Calcutta is excited to contribute to nation-building through this collaboration and sees it as an opportunity to “blend management principles with the technological and regulatory frameworks of digital communication.”

Shri Atul Sinha, DG of NCA-T, added that the MoU will serve as a launchpad for creating specialized leadership talent in the telecommunications field, combining domain knowledge with strategic thinking.

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Looking Ahead: A Roadmap for Action

The MoU will be operationalized through a structured action plan involving:

• Launch of custom-designed training modules

• Joint formulation of research and consulting assignments

• Creation of a telecom-focused executive education curriculum

• Development of policy advisory forums and thematic white papers

In the months ahead, NCA and IIM Calcutta are expected to roll out pilot programs targeting mid-career and senior-level telecom officers, as well as industry professionals engaged in digital infrastructure and spectrum policy.

A Vision for Smart, Inclusive Digital Growth

As India aspires to become a $1 trillion digital economy, strategic human resource development in key enablers like telecommunications becomes vital. The MoU between the National Communications Academy and IIM Calcutta is a visionary step in creating a knowledge-driven, inclusive, and future-ready telecom sector that not only supports economic growth but also ensures secure and equitable digital access for all.