Chennai: The Telecom Security Testing Lab (TSTL) of IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation has become the first laboratory in India to be certified by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to test specific 5G Core Network functions, including Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and 5G Group-I Devices, covering 21 core network functions under common security requirements.
The certification, issued by the National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS), empowers IITM Pravartak’s lab to perform advanced security assessments of 5G telecom equipment, enabling faster deployment of secure and resilient 5G infrastructure across the country.
This is expected to enhance India’s capacity for indigenous telecom security testing and strengthen its march toward technological self-reliance under the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.
The NCCS operates under the ‘Communication Security Certification Scheme (ComSec)’, a part of the broader ‘Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE)’ framework.
Highlighting the significance of the certification, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras and Chairman of IITM Pravartak, said it would reduce India’s dependence on foreign testing facilities, bolster national security, and promote domestic innovation. He added that the certified lab bridges academia and industry, facilitating the development of secure telecom solutions aligned with India’s strategic needs.
Dr M.J. Shankar Raman, CEO of IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, said the certification validates India’s expertise in secure telecommunications and underscores the lab’s role in safeguarding 5G networks against cyber threats.
IITM Pravartak Technologies, a Section 8 company funded by the Department of Science and Technology, also hosts India’s first 5G testbed, providing a key platform for R&D, product development and capacity-building in next-generation telecom technologies.
