C-DOT and IIT Delhi Partner to Develop AI-Enhanced Chatbot for Disaster Management and Emergency Communication

The proposed AI-driven chatbot is envisioned to transform the current emergency communication landscape by acting as a real-time, intelligent, and interactive virtual assistant.

In a landmark development aimed at revolutionizing India’s disaster resilience infrastructure, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier R&D institution of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) to co-develop a cutting-edge, Generative AI-Enhanced Chatbot. This chatbot is designed to offer real-time multilingual support for customer service during disaster early warnings and emergency situations, making communication during crises more responsive, inclusive, and reliable.

This collaboration is part of the C-DOT Collaborative Research Program (CCRP), a flagship initiative to bring together leading academic institutions, industry partners, and research experts to address national priorities through indigenous technological innovation. The agreement was formalized in the presence of key dignitaries including Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, Ms. Shikha Srivastava, EVP-II at C-DOT, Prof. Brejesh Lall, Principal Investigator from IIT Delhi, and Col. (Dr.) Amit Oberoi from Carnot Research Pvt. Ltd., which will serve as the implementation partner supporting the project’s execution.

A Game-Changer in Disaster Preparedness

The proposed AI-driven chatbot is envisioned to transform the current emergency communication landscape by acting as a real-time, intelligent, and interactive virtual assistant. It will leverage an advanced suite of technologies including Natural Language Processing (NLP), Text-to-Speech (TTS), Speech-to-Text (STT), and Image Processing to provide vital support in multiple Indian languages. This multilingual capability is key to ensuring inclusivity and accessibility, especially in linguistically diverse and rural areas that are often the most vulnerable during disasters.

Designed to function in high-pressure environments, the chatbot will be capable of delivering information and support in both voice and text formats. It will aid not only first responders and disaster management authorities but also the general public—providing updates, safety instructions, and critical information in real time.

Integration with National Emergency Systems

One of the most impactful features of the solution is its integration with 3GPP-compliant emergency communication protocols, ensuring compatibility and interoperability with global telecom standards. The AI chatbot will also be embedded within the Disaster Management System of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which has been developed and maintained by C-DOT. This integration is expected to significantly boost the operational efficiency and decision-making capabilities of India’s disaster response infrastructure.

Moreover, the entire solution is being developed as a fully on-premise system, meaning all operations and data will be hosted within secured government-controlled infrastructure. This architecture guarantees data privacy, cybersecurity compliance, and uninterrupted service availability—an absolute necessity for mission-critical operations during natural disasters, man-made emergencies, or public health crises.

Leadership Speaks: A Shared Vision for a Resilient India

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, lauded the initiative as a vital step towards achieving the national goal of self-reliance in core communication technologies under the umbrella of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. He stressed the importance of deploying home-grown, AI-enabled tools to address India’s unique and diverse disaster response needs.

“Disaster communication demands real-time, secure, and robust platforms, especially in a country as vast and varied as India. This collaboration with IIT Delhi is not just about deploying new technology, but about saving lives through smarter, faster, and more accessible communication,” he said.

Prof. Brejesh Lall, leading the research from IIT Delhi, underscored the transformative potential of AI in emergency scenarios. “In crisis situations, access to timely, accurate, and multilingual information can be the difference between chaos and control. With AI and advanced language models, we can build systems that respond as fast as the crisis evolves,” he noted.

The Road Ahead

With the combined strengths of C-DOT’s telecom R&D capabilities and IIT Delhi’s academic and technical expertise, the partnership is well-positioned to deliver a state-of-the-art, scalable solution that can be adapted to various kinds of emergencies, from cyclones and earthquakes to floods and industrial accidents.

In the coming months, the collaborative team will work on developing a prototype, conducting field trials, and refining the solution based on feedback from stakeholders such as the NDMA, state disaster response forces, telecom operators, and emergency service providers. The final solution is expected to be rolled out in phases, starting with pilot implementations in disaster-prone regions.

A New Chapter in AI for Social Good

This initiative marks a pivotal moment in India's journey to leverage Artificial Intelligence for social impact, particularly in areas that affect public safety and national resilience. With a focus on localization, real-time response, and inclusivity, the Generative AI-Enhanced Chatbot is poised to set new benchmarks in disaster communication—not only within India but as a model for other nations with similar demographic and geographic challenges.

As the world grapples with climate change-induced natural calamities and unforeseen public emergencies, solutions like these highlight the role of technology, collaboration, and indigenous innovation in building a safer, smarter future for all.