Shri A.K. Mittal, formerly Sr. DDG and Head of Telecommunication Engineering Centre, Department of Communications, Government of India, takes over as Director General TSDSI. He was a government nominee and member of the first Governing Council of TSDSI. During his tenure, he chaired both the RnR Committee and the IPR Committee of the TSDSI Governing Council, playing a pivotal role in formulating TSDSI’s first IPR policy. He also recommended critical enhancements to the RnR framework for significantly improving the effectiveness and functioning of the Study Groups.
In 2017, he joined TSDSI as Advisor – Networks, Systems, and Technologies, where he streamlined operations of Study Group – Networks, through active engagement with members, fostering collaboration, and driving increased technical contributions. As Advisor also, he continued to contribute to the IPR Committee. He has been anchoring the development of TSDSI Standardisation Roadmap by the GC Roadmap Committee since its inception and its realisation by close collaboration with the roadmap committee and the TSDSI members. Shri Mittal played a key role in the global acceptance of 5Gi at the ITU-R as part of its recommendations on IMT-2020. He has been driving strategy for contributions for 3GPP and ITU-R as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC). He has been a Keynote/ invited speaker at several national and international forums.
He has worked in telecommunications for over 49 years having domain experience in Satellite Communication, OFC, Microwave, Mobile Networks, Switching Systems, Network Management, Licensing, Regulation, Standards, Testing and Certification.
Message from Mr AK Mittal, Director General, TSDSI
It is with a deep sense of responsibility and humility that I assume the office of the Director General of TSDSI on this day, 1st April 2026. I am honoured to take on this role where I will have the opportunity to serve alongside a distinguished community of TSDSI members, experts, and stakeholders committed to shaping the future of telecommunications through standards.
As we stand at the threshold of a new era defined by 6G, TSDSI has a unique opportunity to not only contribute to global standards but to proactively shape them—ensuring they reflect India’s priorities, innovations, and diverse connectivity needs through collective endeavour.
I would like to place on record my sincere appreciation for the contributions of my predecessors, whose leadership has laid a strong foundation for TSDSI’s growing stature in the global standards ecosystem. Building on this legacy, our vision will be to position TSDSI among the leaders in next-generation standards development, driving thought leadership and impactful contributions at international fora with the help of the expertise of our members in diverse technology domains.
Going forward, focus will be on fostering deeper collaboration across industry, academia, and government. Emphasis will also be placed on interaction with stakeholders for identifying emerging use cases across sectors such as connected mobility, smart infrastructure and rural connectivity ensuring that TSDSI delivers standards, national and global, which become key enablers of inclusive digital transformation.
I firmly believe that through shared objectives, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence, we can elevate TSDSI’s impact—both nationally and globally—and contribute meaningfully to shaping the telecommunications landscape of the next decade.
(A.K. Mittal)
Director General
1 April 2026
