Pravartak becomes first in India certified to test 5G Core Network Security

chennai: the telecom security testing lab (tstl) of iit madras pravartak technologies foundation has become the first laboratory in india authorised by the department of telecommunications (dot) to test specific 5g core network functions and 5g group-i devices covering 21 core network security requirements.the certification, granted by the national centre for communication security (nccs), enables the lab to perform advanced security evaluations of 5g telecom equipment. it is expected to accelerate the deployment of secure and resilient 5g networks across india while strengthening indigenous capabilities in telecom security testing.the certification falls under the communication security certification scheme (comsec), part of the mandatory testing and certification of telecom equipment (mtcte) rules, aimed at ensuring telecom products comply with indian security standards.highlighting the achievement, iit madras director and iitm pravartak chairman prof. v. kamakoti said the certification will reduce dependence on foreign laboratories and bolster national security. “by bridging academia and industry, the certified lab enhances collaborative research and supports secure telecom solutions tailored for india's strategic needs,” he said.dr. m.j. shankar raman, ceo of iitm pravartak, said the recognition validates india's capability in secure telecom infrastructure. “this milestone reinforces iitm pravartak's role in advancing indigenous 5g technologies and fortifying the nation's cybersecurity landscape,” he added.iitm pravartak, a section 8 company funded by the department of science and technology, also houses india's first 5g testbed, developed under a multi-institutional collaboration led by iit madras.