Introduction to Quantum Communication
In today’s digital age, systems control everything from banking to defense, and the increasing power of quantum computing poses a significant threat to traditional encryption methods. As a result, the world is coming together to develop quantum-safe communication networks, with India taking the lead.

The Impact of Quantum Communication
Quantum communication may seem like a concept from science fiction, but its real-world implications are staggering. As India moves towards creating a quantum internet, it will be possible to encrypt personal data, banking details, and health records with unbreakable codes. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are driving this revolution, making India not just a part of the quantum revolution, but a leader in it.

India Boosts Quantum Communication with ISRO and DRDO Innovations

India’s response to the quantum challenge is being led by ISRO and DRDO, two agencies driving innovation in secure communication. According to ISRO reports, they have successfully conducted free-space quantum communication for 300 meters, encrypting a live video conference using quantum keys. This is a significant step towards laying the foundations for future satellite-based quantum communication, capable of securing information across long distances.

Latest Developments in Quantum Communication

The latest reports from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) indicate that DRDO, in collaboration with IIT-Delhi, has taken a step forward in demonstrating secure quantum communication of 1 kilometer using entangled photons over free-space optical links. The system recorded a secure rate of key exchange at 240 bits per second and a negligible error rate, enabling real-time quantum encryption. DRDO has also experimented with quantum key distribution over 100 km of commercial optical fiber, establishing that India’s infrastructure is prepared to implement scalable quantum cybersecurity solutions.

India’s Three-Level Quantum Strategy

India’s quantum communication strategy combines fiber optics, free-space, and satellites to ensure versatility and scalability. This includes:

• Fibre-Based QKD: Ideal for secure city-to-city or facility-to-facility communication using existing underground infrastructure.
• Free-Space QKD: Provides mobile, quick-deployment communication where fiber is not possible—excellent for military and emergency use.
• Satellite-Based QKD: The most far-reaching objective—secure communication across continents through quantum satellites.

How Quantum Tech Could Change Data Security

Encryption methods used today depend on the difficulty of solving mathematical puzzles, which can be solved in seconds by quantum computers. Developing quantum technology could expose sensitive information across the globe to interception and decryption. However, the foundation of quantum-safe communication is based on the concept of quantum entanglement, where two particles are connected, and the state of one immediately influences the other, regardless of distance. This concept is the foundation of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), a technique that employs entangled photons to exchange encryption keys.

Securing the Future: Quantum Tech for Defence and Daily Use

Quantum-secure communication is not just a scientific advance—it’s also a strategic imperative. In an era of sophisticated cyber war, India’s dual-use approach (civilian and defense) enables it to defend confidential communications against hackers and foreign intrusions. By bringing together ISRO’s satellite technology with DRDO’s cybersecurity capabilities, India is creating the foundation for a national quantum communications network that would protect everything from border communications to e-commerce.

India’s Position in the Quantum Race Globally

China is currently ahead in satellite quantum communication, but India is catching up rapidly. With a robust academic and industrial foundation backed by DRDO-Industry-Academia Centres of Excellence, India is producing the next crop of quantum scientists and engineers. This ecosystem ensures that the nation stays ahead in an area that has the potential to redefine cybersecurity in the next century.

Published On Jun 24, 2025 at 09:33 AM IST

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