DRDO & IIT Delhi demonstrate Quantum Entanglement-Based Free-Space Quantum Secure Communication over more than 1 km distance
New Delhi [India], June 17 (ANI): India has entered into a new quantum era by successfully demonstrating an experimental advancement through DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE), IIT Delhi, according to the official statement from the Ministry of Defence.
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.
The experiment attained a secure key rate of nearly 240 bits per second with a quantum bit error rate of less than 7 per cent.
As per the release, this entanglement-assisted quantum secure communication paves the way for real-time applications in quantum cybersecurity, including long-distance Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), the development of quantum networks, and the future quantum internet.
These efforts align with India's broader objectives to advance quantum technologies for national development.
Under the project 'Design and development of photonic technologies for free space QKD', sanctioned by Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management (DFTM), DRDO, the demonstration was given by Prof Bhaskar Kanseri's research group in the presence of several dignitaries, including the DRDO DG (MED, COS & CS), Director SAG, Director DFTM, Dean (R&D) IIT Delhi, Director (DIA-CoE) and DRDO laboratory scientists.
Quantum entanglement-based QKD offers several significant advantages over the traditional prepare-and-measure method by enhancing both security and functionality. Even if devices are compromised or imperfect, the use of quantum entanglement ensures the security of key distribution.
Any attempt to measure or intercept the entangled photons disturbs the quantum state, allowing authorised users to detect the presence of an eavesdropper.
According to the release, Quantum communication provides fundamentally unbreakable encryption, making it a dual-use technology with applications in securing data in strategic sectors such as defence, finance, and telecommunications, as well as in protecting national security-related communications.
Free-space QKD eliminates the need to lay optical fibers, which can be both disruptive and expensive, especially in challenging terrains and dense urban environments.
Earlier, India's first intercity quantum communication link between Vindhyachal and Prayagraj in 2022, using commercial-grade underground dark optical fiber was demonstrated by DRDO scientists along with Prof Bhaskar's team.
As per the statement, more recently, in 2024, the team successfully distributed quantum keys using entanglement over a 100 km spool of telecom-grade optical fiber in another DRDO-supported project.
These technologies are being developed through DRDO-Industry-Academia - Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoEs) - an initiative of DRDO, where 15 Centres of Excellence have been established at premier academic institutes like IITs, IISc & Universities for development of cutting edge defence technologies.
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO & IIT Delhi for this landmark achievement, stating that India entered into a new quantum era of secure communication which will be a game changer in future warfare.
According to the official statement, Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Samir V Kamat and Director, IIT Delhi Prof Rangan Banerjee congratulated the team for these key achievements. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
13 hours ago
- India Today
Engineering (Government) Regaining the tech edge
IIT Bombay reclaims its No. 1 spot with renewed focus on research, bold teaching shifts, and a campus revamp in full swing No. 1: IIT BOMBAY In a major shake-up at the top of the rankings, IIT Bombay has reclaimed the No. 1 position among government engineering colleges, overtaking IIT Delhi after a seven-year gap. This achievement underscores its growing edge in academics, research and campus development. With an intake of 1,128 students in undergraduate courses for 2025-26, and 750-plus full-time faculty members—including the highest number of women faculty (125) among all IITs—IIT Bombay continues to set national benchmarks. 'Having more female faculty not only brings greater representation,' says Shireesh B. Kedare, the institute's director, 'but also offers students inspiring role models.' A key priority now is a shift from traditional teaching to learning-centric pedagogy. From this summer, several courses across departments will adopt activity-based formats and problem-solving modules. 'Talking is not teaching—we want to focus on learning,' explains Kedare. In a first-year design course, for example, students access study material put online by the faculty in advance and use classroom time for discussion and assignments. Research and innovation remain core to the institute's mission. Projects span drone technology, CAR-T cancer therapy, 5G, AI tools and quantum sensing. IIT Bombay has a 99 per cent patent success rate in the past three years, with patents in solar cells, robotics, agri-sensors etc.—many of which have been licensed to industry. ROBUST COLLABS Consultancy and government collaboration are also robust. The institute has advised on infrastructure projects like Mumbai's Gokhale Bridge and signed MoUs with the Maharashtra government to align research with state priorities. On campus, IIT Bombay is undergoing a Rs 2,500-crore infrastructure overhaul, with the plan to add 24 new buildings by 2029. Expansion of its SINE incubator and research park is fostering entrepreneurship with new co-working spaces and mentorship hubs. For Shirish Deodhar, a serial tech entrepreneur from the class of 1980, the transformation is phenomenal. 'I am hopeful,' he says, 'that IIT Bombay will take its rightful place among the world's top universities.'
India Today
15 hours ago
- India Today
IIT Delhi expands curriculum: New-age courses for today's career demands
The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, one of the country's premier institutions, has broadened its academic offerings with several new courses launched between late 2024 and mid-2025. The move marks a significant shift from the institute's core BTech and MTech legacy, aiming to equip students and professionals with domain-specific, industry-relevant the QS World University Rankings 2025, IIT Delhi climbed 27 places to secure the 123rd spot globally, becoming India's top-ranked university — a feat that reflects its expanding global COURSES AT A GLANCE1. BTech in Design A full-time four-year undergraduate degree offered by the newly established Department of Design. This course bridges creativity with engineering, focusing on industrial, interaction, and communication Admission via UCEED, not JEE AdvancedFee: As per standard BTech structure2. BS in ChemistryA 4-year degree rooted in both fundamental and advanced chemical sciences, with strong prospects in research and JEE Advanced 2025Department: Chemistry3. Certificate in Finance for Non-Finance ProfessionalsThis 6-month programme aims to enhance financial acumen amongst professionals from non-finance Graduates or working Rs1.5 lakhMode: Offered via IITD's Continuing Education Programme (CEP)4. Certificate in Supply Chain ManagementAlso a 6-month course, this program covers logistics, operations, and supply chain strategy for mid-career Graduates and working Rs1.5 lakh5. Certificate in Semiconductor Technology and ManufacturingAs India strengthens its semiconductor ecosystem, this course prepares participants in VLSI design, chip fabrication, and related Engineers, science graduates, and early-career Rs1.5 lakh6. MTech and PhD at IIT Delhi Abu DhabiThe institute has launched new postgraduate programmes at its international campus in Abu Dhabi, with a focus on sustainability, energy, and data 2 years for MTech; variable for GATE or equivalentIn line with the academic reforms for 2025–26, IIT Delhi has also introduced flexible, interdisciplinary modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These include electives and minors in AI, healthcare technology, humanities, and hands-on skill-building, allowing students to personalise their academic journey like never before.
News18
a day ago
- News18
QS University Rankings 2026: List Of Top Universities In The World
Last Updated: The QS World University Rankings 2026 list over 1,500 universities, with MIT at the top and IIT Delhi ranked highest among Indian institutions at 123. The QS World University Rankings 2026, released on Thursday, include over 1,500 universities from more than 100 countries. The rankings highlight changes in global higher education, with the United States still leading, while many Asian and European countries have shown improvement. In a press release, QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) announced that nearly 500 institutions have improved their rankings compared to last year. The rise is attributed to better performance in areas such as citations per faculty, international student ratio, and sustainability. MIT Stays On Top, UK And US Lead The Top 10 The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) continues to hold the number one spot for the 14th year in a row. It is followed by Imperial College London and Stanford University, which moved up from sixth to third place. Other top 10 universities include the University of Oxford, Harvard University, University of Cambridge, ETH Zurich, National University of Singapore (NUS), University College London (UCL), and Caltech. The top 10 list remains mostly the same as last year, with only slight changes in ranking. The United States has the highest number of universities in the list, with 192 institutions, many of which improved their positions. Top Indian Universities In QS World University Rankings 2026 First Published: June 19, 2025, 16:20 IST
