Bangalore’s IIIT-B Emerges as Global Force in Digital Infrastructure Design
Bangalore’s IIIT-Bangalore has positioned itself as a global leader in building inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) by developing scalable, open-source digital tools now adopted across more than two dozen countries. With its Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP) and new initiatives like INJI and COSS, the institute is transforming governance and public service delivery across the Global South. Its efforts extend to AI inclusion, e-health, and 5G innovation—placing the institute at the centre of India’s tech-for-good diplomacy.
The Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI) at IIIT-Bangalore has become a global beacon for inclusive and open digital systems. Its most prominent innovation, MOSIP, has already enabled more than 136 million digital identities across 27 countries, empowering governments to deliver secure, user-centric services. Designed as a non-profit, global platform, CDPI advises countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America on building trustworthy, interoperable DPI systems. In response to growing demand, IIIT-B has launched next-gen platforms such as INJI—a privacy-focused credentialing system—and established COSS to advance open societal digital tools. Experts note that these developments represent a significant step in reshaping how public services are delivered at scale, especially in underserved regions. The institute’s presence at global forums such as the UN Citizen’s Stack Conference further demonstrates its influence in policy design and ethical digital infrastructure. With global awards backing its work, IIIT-B continues to bridge the digital divide with scalable, secure technology.
Beyond identity systems, IIIT-Bangalore’s innovation ecosystem supports sectors from mental health to telecom. Its E-Health Research Centre, in collaboration with NIMHANS, powers Tele-MANAS—a multilingual tele-mental health platform that has reached over two million users in the past year. The institute also hosts CAGS, which is working with Microsoft Research on AI for Inclusion (A4I), developing digital public goods for underserved communities. Meanwhile, the COMET Foundation is shaping India’s telecom future through research on 5G-Advanced base stations and 6G-ready infrastructure, including Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) to reduce power and coverage gaps. These pioneering efforts are supported by partnerships with global foundations and government-linked missions, including its nomination as Lead Knowledge Institution by NITI Aayog. The institute’s green campus initiatives have earned it international sustainability recognition, while an ₹817 crore expansion plan for a new East Campus promises to scale these innovations further. IIIT-B continues to redefine academia’s role in solving global public infrastructure challenges.
IIIT-Bangalore is not just building technology—it is architecting inclusive futures. With platforms like MOSIP, INJI, and OpenG2P, the institute has redefined how nations across the Global South implement digital governance. Its emphasis on open-source, ethical, and scalable solutions allows for localisation and long-term ownership by governments. As the world increasingly turns to digital tools to deliver public goods, IIIT-B’s work exemplifies India’s potential to lead the global digital transformation—balancing innovation, inclusion, and impact. With continued expansion, global partnerships, and research-driven strategies, IIIT-B is setting benchmarks in how digital infrastructure can serve people, equitably and at scale.
