Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are intelligent systems that integrate the physical and digital worlds through sensors, computing systems, software, communication networks, and actuators. They enable machines to sense, analyse, make decisions, and respond to real-time conditions.

Working of CPS

CPS connects computation, communication, and physical processes through a continuous feedback loop. Sensors collect data from the physical environment, computing systems analyse the information and make decisions, and actuators perform the required actions. The resulting changes are measured again through sensors, allowing the system to respond continuously.

Applications of CPS

Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles use sensors, cameras, and AI-based systems to understand their surroundings and navigate roads with minimal human intervention.

Smart Manufacturing

In smart factories, CPS enables automated monitoring, process optimisation, and industrial automation under Industry 4.0.

Healthcare

Intelligent medical devices can continuously monitor patients and support timely medical interventions through real-time data analysis.

Smart Buildings

CPS-based building systems regulate lighting, temperature, and energy consumption according to real-time conditions.

Significance of CPS

CPS enables the development of intelligent, connected, and responsive systems. It supports technological advancements in automation, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, defence, and smart infrastructure.

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

About NM-ICPS

The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to develop indigenous CPS capabilities in India.

The Union Cabinet approved the mission in 2018 with an outlay of ₹3,660 crore for nine years.

Objectives of NM-ICPS

The mission provides a national framework for advancing CPS research, innovation, and applications across priority sectors. It promotes collaboration among academia, industry, government agencies, and international organisations.

Innovation Ecosystem

NM-ICPS supports the complete innovation cycle, including research and development, translational research, product development, and startup incubation. This helps convert scientific knowledge into practical technological solutions.

Centres of Excellence

The mission aims to establish world-class interdisciplinary Centres of Excellence across India to promote advanced CPS research, technology development, specialised expertise, and policy support.

Technology Development

NM-ICPS focuses on developing national-priority technologies, core competencies, and skilled human resources in emerging CPS domains.

Achievements of NM-ICPS

According to the figures provided, as of August 2026, the mission has enabled the development of 1,146 technologies and supported 1,329 technology products across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, mining, cybersecurity, advanced communication, and positioning systems.

Skill Development

Through the CHANAKYA Fellowship Programme, NM-ICPS supports undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD, and postdoctoral researchers working on CPS-related challenges.

Startup Ecosystem

The mission has supported 1,136 startups and spin-offs, generating more than 24,000 jobs by promoting research-based entrepreneurship.

Global Collaboration

NM-ICPS has established 200 international collaborations to strengthen India’s participation in the global CPS technology ecosystem.

Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs)

About TIHs

Under NM-ICPS, the Government of India has established 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) as Section 8 companies in leading academic institutions across the country.

These hubs focus on technology development, human resource development, innovation, startup support, and international collaborations.

Role of TIHs

TIHs bridge the gap between academic research and real-world applications by developing technology platforms, converting research into products, nurturing technology-based startups, and working with government agencies to address national challenges.

Technology Translation Research Parks (TTRPs)

About TTRPs

To accelerate the commercialisation of CPS technologies, four high-performing Technology Innovation Hubs were selected in 2025 as Technology Translation Research Parks (TTRPs).

Objective of TTRPs

TTRPs aim to accelerate the transition of CPS innovations from laboratories to deployable technologies and commercial products.

BharatGen

About BharatGen

BharatGen is a generative AI initiative supported under NM-ICPS. It is led by IIT Bombay along with a consortium of academic institutions and focuses on developing sovereign AI capabilities suited to Indian languages and contexts.

Multilingual AI Capability

BharatGen develops text, speech, and vision-language technologies to enable human-machine interaction across India’s linguistic diversity.

AI Models Developed

Param-2

Param-2 is a foundation model with 17 billion parameters supporting all 22 Scheduled Indian languages, according to the provided material.

Shrutam

Shrutam is a speech-to-text model supporting 12 Indian languages.

Sooktam

Sooktam is a text-to-speech model supporting 12 Indian languages.

Patram

Patram enables multilingual access to complex Indian documents through the DocBodh framework.

Sector-Specific AI Models

BharatGen has developed domain-focused models such as Ayur Param for Ayurveda, Agri Param for agriculture, and Legal Param for the Indian legal sector.

Difference Between IoT and CPS