Dr. Abhay Karandikar, a prominent figure in India's telecommunications landscape, has taken on a pivotal role as a member of NITI Aayog, India's premier public policy think tank. His journey from an academic at prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to a key policymaker highlights his significant contributions to the nation's technological progress, particularly in 5G and 6G development.
Academic Roots and Research Innovations
Karandikar's academic career began at IIT Kanpur, where he earned his MTech in Electrical Engineering in 1988 and his PhD in 1994. He later joined IIT Bombay's Department of Electrical Engineering in April 1997, serving there until April 2018. During his tenure at IIT Bombay, he held several leadership positions, including heading the Computer Centre, leading the Electrical Engineering Department, and serving as the first Professor-in-Charge of the IIT Bombay Research Park.
His research at IIT Bombay focused extensively on wired and wireless networks, resource allocation, and software-defined networking. A significant area of his work involved developing solutions for affordable rural broadband, which led to the concept of “Frugal 5G” – network architectures designed for cost-effective broadband access, particularly in underserved regions.
Shaping Telecom Standards and Policy
Dr. Karandikar played a crucial role in establishing the Telecom Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI), serving as a founding member and former chairman. His research directly influenced global telecom standards, including IEEE 1930.1, the first IEEE standard originating from Indian efforts, which focuses on SDN-based middleware for network control and management. He also contributed to IEEE 2061, a standard for low mobility, energy-efficient networks crucial for affordable broadband and part of IEEE's 5G standards activities. His team's work on rural broadband earned the Mozilla Open Innovation Challenge prize in 2017.
Leadership at IIT Kanpur and Department of Science & Technology
In April 2018, Karandikar assumed the directorship of IIT Kanpur, a position he held until October 2, 2023. Under his leadership, IIT Kanpur expanded its academic and research infrastructure, strengthened incubation initiatives, and advanced plans for a medical school with a focus on medical technology. The institute also pursued new research facilities, faculty expansion, industry partnerships, and international collaborations, consolidating its incubation efforts under the Foundation for Innovation and Research in Science and Technology.
Following his term at IIT Kanpur, Karandikar served as Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) from October 3, 2023, until May 18, 2026. In this role, he was instrumental in operationalizing key government initiatives, including the National Quantum Mission and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). He also oversaw the operationalization of the ₹1 Lakh Crore Research, Development, and Innovation Fund, designed to support cutting-edge R&D in the private sector and deep tech startups. His tenure saw the launch of numerous R&D programs in clean energy, green hydrogen, advanced materials, geospatial technologies, and more.
Advancing India’s 6G Vision at NITI Aayog
Since May 18, 2026, Dr. Karandikar has served as a Member of NITI Aayog. His expertise in telecommunications, wireless networking, electronics, semiconductors, AI, and quantum communication positions him to continue driving India's technological agenda. His research group has already contributed significantly to AI-driven programmable protocols for 6G, underscoring his ongoing influence on the next generation of wireless technology and India’s digital future.