DRDO, IIT Delhi Demonstrate Quantum Tech for Secure Communication By CIOTech Outlook Team

DRDO, IIT Delhi Demonstrate Quantum Tech for Secure Communication

CIOTech Outlook Team | Tuesday, 17 June 2025, 12:49 IST

DRDO, IIT Delhi achieves secure quantum communication over 1km using free-space optical transmission.
Quantum entanglement ensures secure encryption keys at 240 bits/second with a low error rate.
Breakthrough eliminates costly fibre-optic cables, detects tampering, and enhances defence communication security.

India has marked a significant milestone in advanced communication technology with a successful demonstration of secure quantum communication over a distance exceeding one kilometer. The innovation is available through the free-space optical transmission at the IIT Delhi campus was enabled by the DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence on the campus. The demonstration showcases quantum technology as capable of secure data transfer using free-space optical transmission.

The researchers, made up of a group led by Professor Bhaskar Kanseri, used quantum entanglement to create secure encryption keys at a dramatic pace of about 240 bits per second. The system had a quantum bit error rate of less than 7% and which emphasized reliability. The effect of quantum entanglement, where two particles are paired to such a degree that a change of state in one immediately influences the other, even over distance, was exploited with the concept of entangled photons to exchange an encryption key. This breaks the entanglement to keep track of an interception, and therefore, the intrusion is exposed immediately, protecting the information.

Unlike traditional fibre-optic systems, which are expensive and challenging to deploy in remote or densely populated areas, this free-space method eliminates the need for physical cables. The system’s design also allows it to detect tampering or faults in devices, further enhancing security.

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This achievement builds on India’s prior advancements in quantum communication. In 2022, DRDO and IIT Delhi established a quantum communication link between Vindhyachal and Prayagraj using underground fibre-optic cables. In 2024, they extended this capability to a 100-kilometre secure connection using a coil of telecom fibre. The latest free-space demonstration is part of a broader DRDO initiative to develop technologies for quantum key distribution, supported by the Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the team, stating, “India entered into a new quantum era of secure communication, which will be a game changer in future warfare.” DRDO Chair Samir V. Kamat and IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee also praised the success, highlighting its significance for national security and technological innovation.

The project is one of many advanced defense technology initiatives supported by DRDO’s network of 15 Centres of Excellence across premier institutions like IITs and IISc. These centres are driving cutting-edge research to bolster India’s defense capabilities.