"NM-ICPS Builds India's Cyber-Physical Systems Ecosystem via 25 Innovation Hubs"
Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)
Systems integrating computation, communication, and physical processes to sense, process, and respond in real time.
Technology Innovation Hub (TIH)
A Section 8 company hosted at an academic institution under NM-ICPS, bridging research and industrial application.
Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) represent the convergence of computational intelligence with physical processes. Unlike traditional automation, CPS integrates sensors, software, and communication networks so that machines can sense, process, and respond to their environment in real time. Examples range from autonomous vehicles and smart factories to medical monitoring devices and intelligent buildings. The concept sits at the intersection of the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, artificial intelligence, and embedded computing.
India's broader S&T policy has increasingly recognised that strategic autonomy in emerging technologies requires indigenous capability-building, not just technology adoption. The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) was conceived within this framework. The Union Cabinet approved the mission in 2018 with a total outlay of ₹3,660 crore over nine years, making it one of the largest dedicated technology-mission investments by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The mission draws on the model of earlier technology missions, such as those in space and nuclear energy, where sustained, coordinated public investment built indigenous frontier capability over decades.
At its core, CPS brings together three elements: computation (processing and decision-making), communication (data exchange between devices and networks), and physical processes (real-world actions and feedback). This triad enables systems that are not merely automated but genuinely adaptive. A smart factory, for instance, does not just execute pre-programmed steps; it monitors production in real time, detects anomalies, and adjusts operations without human intervention. This capability has direct implications for critical infrastructure, defence, healthcare, and agriculture.
NM-ICPS operates through a hub-and-spoke institutional model. The government has established 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs), each set up as a Section 8 company (a not-for-profit corporate entity under the Companies Act) and hosted by a premier academic institution. TIHs work across four functional areas: technology development; human resource and skill development; innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-up development; and international collaborations. …
Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct?
1.It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits.
2.Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D institutes across India.
Select the answer using the code given below:
When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up and tap it to stop the alarm which causes your geyser to be switched on automatically. The smart mirror in your bathroom shows the day's weather and also indicates the level of water in your overhead tank. After you take some groceries from your refrigerator for making breakfast, it recognises the shortage of stock in it and places an order for the supply of fresh grocery items. When you step out of your house and lock the door, all lights, fans, geysers and AC machines get switched off automatically. On your way to office, your car warns you about traffic congestion ahead and suggests an alternative route, and if you are late for a meeting, it sends a message to your office accordingly.
In the context of emerging communication technologies, which one of the following terms best applies to the above scenario ?
Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based Projects/Programmes usually suffers in terms of certain vital factors. Identify these factors, and suggest measures for their effective implementation.
Consider the following statements regarding the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS):
1.It was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2018 with an outlay of ₹3,660 crore.
2.Technology Innovation Hubs under the mission are incorporated as Section 8 companies.
3.The mission is implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
4.The CHANAKYA Fellowship Programme under the mission supports researchers from undergraduate to postdoctoral level.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Match the following Technology Translation Research Parks (TTRPs) established under NM-ICPS with their respective strategic focus areas:
List I (Institution) — List II (Focus Area)
A.IIT Kanpur — 1. Digital Healthcare
B.IISc Bengaluru — 2. Mining Technologies
C.IIT (ISM) Dhanbad — 3. Cybersecurity
D.IIT Indore — 4. Robotics and AI Systems
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
With reference to Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), which of the following statements is/are correct?
1.CPS integrates computation, communication, and physical processes to enable real-time sensing and response.
2.The Internet of Things (IoT) is a foundational technology layer that underpins CPS applications.
3.CPS applications are limited to industrial and manufacturing contexts.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Consider the following statements comparing the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and the National Quantum Mission (NQM):
1.Both missions use academic-institution-hosted hubs as their primary implementation vehicle.
2.NM-ICPS has established 25 Technology Innovation Hubs, while NQM has established four Thematic Hubs.
3.Both missions are implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Which of the following best describes the purpose of Technology Translation Research Parks (TTRPs) established under NM-ICPS in 2025?
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