Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)

Context

• Recently, a government report highlighted India’s growing ecosystem for Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and the role of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) in developing indigenous capabilities.
• The initiative is aimed at translating research and innovation into practical applications across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, mining, cybersecurity, communications and mobility.

About Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)

• Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are intelligent systems that integrate physical processes with computing, communication and digital technologies.
• A CPS uses sensors, software and communication networks to sense its surroundings, process information and respond to changing conditions in real time.
• At its core, CPS brings together:
• Computation
• Communication
• Physical Processes
• Applications:
• Healthcare: IIT Indore’s CharakDT is a digital twin of the human body, simulating the lungs, eyes and heart for disease and treatment studies.
• A digital twin is a live, virtual copy of a real-world physical object, process, or system. It uses real-time data from smart sensors to mirror, track, and study how the real thing works and behaves.
• Agriculture: IIT Bombay’s Agri-IoT uses real-time soil, weather and micro-climate data for efficient resource use.
• Mining: TEXMiN, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad uses drones transmitting data up to 50 km for remote mine monitoring and safety.
• Communication: IIIT Bengaluru’s 5G-Advanced ORAN Massive MIMO (32TR RU) enables indigenous, cost-effective connectivity.
• Cybersecurity: IHUB NTIHAC, IIT Kanpur develops IT-OT Security and crypto-forensic solutions for CPS.
• Other applications: Driverless cars, smart factories, medical devices, smart buildings, cleaning robots and fitness trackers.

About National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS)

• Nodal Ministry/Department: Department of Science & Technology (DST).
• Approved: 2018 by the Union Cabinet.
• Outlay: ₹3,660 crore for nine years.
• Objective: Develop India’s capabilities in CPS research, innovation and applications.

Initiatives Taken under NM-ICPS: BharatGen

• BharatGen, supported under NM-ICPS, is developing sovereign AI capabilities suited to Indian languages and contexts.
• It is led by IIT Bombay with a consortium of academic institutions.
• Key Models:
• Param-2: A 17-billion-parameter foundation model supporting all 22 Scheduled Indian languages.
• Shrutam: Speech-to-text models supporting 12 Indian languages.
• Sooktam: Text-to-speech models supporting 12 Indian languages.
• Domain-Specific Variants: Ayur Param (Ayurveda), Agri Param (Agriculture), and Legal Param (Legal sector).
• Patram: Developed under the DocBodh framework for multilingual access to complex Indian documents.

Conclusion

Cyber-Physical Systems can enable India’s transition towards a digitally empowered, intelligent and self-reliant economy by integrating physical infrastructure with AI and digital technologies. Strengthening indigenous CPS capabilities will enhance technological sovereignty, innovation and inclusive development.