Quantum Leap: DRDO and IIT-Delhi Demonstrate Experimental Progress

Published: 18 Jun 2025

Author: Precedence Research

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A successful demonstration of an experimental advancement in Quantum communication technology by the Indian Research Organisation, DRDO, paves the way for real-time applications in quantum cyber security. It is going to be extremely crucial in cybersecurity applications, as per the statement given by the Defence Ministry. To achieve fundamental, Unbreakable encryption is possible using quantum communication technology, which makes it a dual application technology with use in data security for crucial sectors as well as in defense, finance, and telecommunication, also while ensuring national security and related communication. Earlier, the first intercity communication between Vindhyachal and Prayagraj was demonstrated by a DRDO scientist in 2022 using a commercial-grade underground dark optical fiber.

Quantum communication technology is hacking-proof and highly essential in crucial defense-related communication. With this experiment, India has achieved the quantum era with secure communication, which is going to be a game-changer in the upcoming modern warfare.

Key Highlights

• Substantial Achievement in Quantum Communication Technology: This is a milestone in free space quantum secure communication with the help of quantum entanglement, where around 1 km distance communication was successfully demonstrated during this experiment 
• Secure Key Rate: With less than 7% error rate, the secure key rate of 240 bits per second was achieved during the experiment.
• Team Lead: The experiment was performed under Prof. Bhaskar Kanseri and the team under the project named ‘Design and Development of Photonic Technology for Free Space’
• Backend Support: Approved by the Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management (DFTM), DRDO, and the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoE) initiative.
• Importance: Highly crucial in various quantum cyber security applications and ensuring secure communications for defense, finance, telecom, and other highly important national security applications.

Executives’ Statements

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

“India entered into a new quantum era of secure communication, which will be a game changer in future warfare.”

Ministry of Defence India

"The free-space quantum secure communication using quantum entanglement over a distance of more than one km was achieved via a free-space optical link established on the IIT-Delhi campus; this entanglement-assisted quantum secure communication paves the way for real-time applications in quantum cyber security, including long-distance Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), the development of quantum networks, and the future quantum internet."