Has India Stepped into a New Quantum Era of Secure Communication?
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Synopsis
India has made a groundbreaking advancement in defense and cybersecurity by demonstrating secure communication through quantum entanglement. This technology, which offers unbreakable encryption, is poised to revolutionize future warfare and various sectors, eliminating the need for costly optical fibers.
Key Takeaways
- India has successfully demonstrated free-space quantum secure communication.
- The technology utilizes quantum entanglement to enhance security.
- It achieved a secure key rate of 240 bits per second.
- The breakthrough was made possible by collaboration among DRDO, industry, and academia.
- This innovation has significant implications for defense and cybersecurity sectors.
New Delhi, June 16 (NationPress) India has achieved a remarkable milestone in defense and cybersecurity by successfully showcasing free-space quantum secure communication utilizing quantum entanglement, as stated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday.
The Union Minister emphasized that the nation has embarked on a new quantum era of secure communication, which is anticipated to be transformative in future warfare.
This significant breakthrough was made possible by the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT Delhi.
The demonstration involved the transmission of quantum entangled particles over a free-space optical link across a distance exceeding one kilometer within the IIT Delhi campus.
The experiment achieved a secure key rate of approximately 240 bits per second, with a quantum bit error rate of under 7 percent.
Experts indicate that this technology fosters real-time applications in quantum cybersecurity, including long-distance Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), future quantum networks, and the quantum internet.
Communication based on quantum entanglement offers enhanced security compared to conventional methods.
Even if the communication devices are compromised, entangled photons will expose any interception attempts by altering their quantum state.
This renders the encryption nearly unbreakable and extremely beneficial in sectors such as defense, finance, telecommunications, and other strategic areas.
A significant advantage of this novel method is its ability to eliminate the necessity of laying optical fibers, which can be expensive and challenging in remote or densely populated regions.
The project, entitled ‘Design and development of photonic technologies for free space QKD,” was approved by the Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management (DFTM), DRDO.
The demonstration was spearheaded by Professor Bhaskar Kanseri’s research group and attended by high-ranking officials, including DRDO DG (MED, COS & CS), Director SAG, Director DFTM, Dean (R&D) IIT Delhi, and other scientists.
In a congratulatory note, DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat and IIT Delhi Director Prof Rangan Banerjee hailed it as a pivotal milestone in India's technological progress.
This achievement is not the first for the team. In 2022, DRDO and IIT Delhi showcased India’s inaugural intercity quantum communication link between Vindhyachal and Prayagraj using underground optical fiber.
In 2024, they successfully distributed quantum keys over a 100 km length of telecom-grade optical fiber.
These milestones are part of DRDO’s DIA-CoEs initiative, which has established 15 Centres of Excellence at premier institutions like IITs and IISc to cultivate advanced defense technologies.
Point of View
This milestone represents not just a technological achievement but a strategic advantage for India in the global defense landscape. The focus on quantum secure communication demonstrates the country's commitment to advancing its cybersecurity capabilities, which is essential in an era where information security is paramount. The successful collaboration between DRDO, academia, and industry is a model for future innovations. NationPress remains dedicated to covering these developments as they unfold.
NationPress
16/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is quantum secure communication?
Quantum secure communication refers to the use of quantum mechanics principles to secure communication channels, making it nearly impossible for unauthorized parties to intercept messages without detection.
What are the applications of this technology?
This technology has applications in quantum cybersecurity, long-distance Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), and the development of future quantum networks and the quantum internet.
Who led the demonstration?
The demonstration was led by Professor Bhaskar Kanseri’s research group at IIT Delhi.
What are the advantages of quantum entanglement-based communication?
Quantum entanglement-based communication offers stronger security than traditional methods, as it can reveal attempts at interception by altering the quantum state of entangled photons.
How does this innovation impact defense?
This innovation enhances the security of communication in defense sectors, making it vital for protecting sensitive information from potential threats.
