BSNL–NRL MoU to Accelerate Industry 4.0 Adoption in India

Current Context: On August 3, 2025, BSNL and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) signed an MoU at the Industry 4.0 Workshop for CPSEs in Guwahati.

• The aim is to accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and support Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• It includes deploying India’s first 5G Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) in the refinery sector.
• Key technologies involved are Digital Twins, AI-enabled 3D printing, AR/VR/MR, IoT, and Big Data Analytics.
• The initiative will enhance cybersecurity, operational efficiency, and real-time industrial control.
• It is designed to serve as a replicable model for other CPSEs and industrial sectors. The MoU marks a major step toward India’s digital industrial transformation.

Question:

Q.1 What is the main purpose of the MoU signed between Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL)?
a) Expanding telecom infrastructure in Assam
b) Promoting local employment in oil refineries
c) Adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in the refinery sector
d) Launching a new private-public telecom venture

Answer: c) The MoU focuses on enabling Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) to integrate advanced Industry 4.0 tools into its operations, with BSNL’s support.