Latest news with #BhaskarKanseri
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
No Strings Attached: IIT Delhi Sends Secure Quantum Messages Wire-Free
New Delhi: In a significant advancement in quantum technology, researchers have achieved free-space quantum secure communication across a distance exceeding 1km at IIT Delhi , managing to transmit highly secure messages through open air without using cables or wires. The breakthrough was made possible by a phenomenon known as quantum entanglement, which links two particles in such a way that any change to one instantly affects the other, regardless of the distance between them, making the communication virtually impossible to intercept or hack. The demonstration was a joint effort by IIT Delhi and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and conducted under a project titled 'Design and Development of Photonic Technologies for Free Space QKD'. It was sanctioned by the Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management and given by Professor Bhaskar Kanseri's research group. "It serves as a proof of concept using quantum entanglement, which makes communication more secure than other quantum communication techniques," said Prof Kanseri, an IHFC chair professor in the Department of Physics, IIT Delhi. During the experiment, researchers managed to securely share secret information at a speed of about 240 bits per second, while keeping errors very low — less than 7%. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo This is a big step toward making quantum communication useful for things like online security. It could help create secure ways to share information over long distances, build quantum networks, and eventually lead to a 'quantum internet'. Normally, someone hacking into a device might steal information. But with quantum entanglement, the link between particles breaks right away, and the users know someone is trying to listen in. This aspect makes it very useful for key areas like defence, banking, telecom and national security. Moreover, as the experiment used free space (through the air) instead of optical fibres (underground wires), it can work even in areas where laying cables is difficult or expensive, like mountains or crowded cities. "It can safeguard digital transactions, such as credit card payments, UPI transfers, online banking, medical records, sensitive data, emails and messaging, directly benefiting common citizens," said Prof Kanseri. However, achieving the breakthrough wasn't easy, especially in a city like Delhi. "Free-space quantum communication is extremely challenging due to atmospheric disturbances, such as turbulence, air currents and pollution. Delhi's elevated levels of these factors make it particularly difficult to conduct such experiments," he added. India's previous free-space quantum communication record, achieved by Isro in 2023, was limited to 300 metres, as per experts. The latest demonstration, surpassing the 1km mark, represents a major advancement for the country's quantum research capabilities.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
DRDO, IIT-Delhi demonstrate free-space quantum secure communication over 1 km
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT Delhi has demonstrated free-space quantum secure communication using quantum entanglement over a distance of more than one km via an optical link. The development is being considered a key breakthrough in the field of cybersecurity. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO and IIT-Delhi, describing it as a landmark achievement showcasing India's entry into a new quantum era of secure communication, 'which will be a game changer in future warfare'. The experiment, conducted on IIT-Delhi campus, attained a secure key rate of nearly 240 bits per second with a quantum bit error rate of less than 7%. '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,' said the Defence Ministry. Stating that the efforts aligned with India's broader objectives to advance quantum technologies for national development, the Ministry said under the project 'Design and development of photonic technologies for free space QKD', sanctioned by the Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management of DRDO, the demonstration was given by Prof. Bhaskar Kanseri's research group in the presence of several dignitaries. '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,' it said. The Ministry said quantum communication provided 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 fibres, which can be both disruptive and expensive, especially in challenging terrains and dense urban environments,' the Ministry said. Earlier, India's first intercity quantum communication link between Vindhyachal and Prayagraj in 2022, using commercial-grade underground dark optical fibre was demonstrated by DRDO scientists along with Prof. Bhaskar's team. In 2024, the team successfully distributed quantum keys using entanglement over a 100-km spool of telecom-grade optical fibre in another DRDO-supported project. These technologies are being developed through DIA-CoEs, 15 of which have been established at premier academic institutes like IITs, IISc, and universities.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
India enters new quantum era of secure communication: Rajnath Singh
New Delhi: India has taken a major leap in defence and cyber security by successfully demonstrating free-space quantum secure communication using quantum entanglement , Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday. The Union Minister said that the country has entered a new quantum era of secure communication , which will prove to be a game changer in future warfare. The breakthrough was achieved by the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT Delhi. The demonstration involved transmitting quantum entangled particles over a free-space optical link across a distance of more than one kilometre within the IIT Delhi campus. The experiment achieved a secure key rate of nearly 240 bits per second, with a quantum bit error rate of less than 7 per cent. According to experts, this technology enables real-time applications in quantum cyber security, including long-distance Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), future quantum networks and the quantum internet. Quantum entanglement-based communication provides stronger security than traditional methods. Even if the communication devices are compromised, entangled photons reveal any attempts at interception by disrupting their quantum state. This makes the encryption virtually unbreakable and highly useful in sectors like defence, finance, telecommunications and other strategic areas. A key benefit of this new method is that it eliminates the need for laying optical fibres, which is costly and difficult in remote or densely populated areas. The project, titled 'Design and development of photonic technologies for free space QKD," was sanctioned by the Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management (DFTM), DRDO . The demonstration was led by Professor Bhaskar Kanseri's research group and witnessed by top officials including DRDO DG (MED, COS & CS), Director SAG, Director DFTM, Dean (R&D) IIT Delhi, and other scientists. Congratulating the team, DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat and IIT Delhi Director Prof Rangan Banerjee called it a significant milestone in India's technological advancement. This is not the first success for the team. In 2022, DRDO and IIT Delhi demonstrated India's first intercity quantum communication link between Vindhyachal and Prayagraj using underground optical fibre. In 2024, they successfully distributed quantum keys over a 100 km spool of telecom-grade optical fibre. These achievements come under DRDO's DIA-CoEs initiative, which has set up 15 Centres of Excellence at leading institutions like IITs and IISc to develop cutting-edge defence technologies.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Indian Scientists Establish Secure Quantum Communication In Breakthrough Achievement
In a groundbreaking scientific achievement, Indian scientists have successfully demonstrated quantum entanglement-based free-space secure communication over a distance of more than one kilometre via an optical link. The development, made possible by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE), IIT Delhi, has ushered in a new quantum era in the country. The experiment achieved a secure key rate of 240 bits per second with a low error rate. This was not just a simulation; it was done in real-world conditions, showcasing the practical viability of quantum communication alongside traditional data transmission. "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," the Ministry of Defence stated. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated DRDO and IIT-Delhi for the achievement, showcasing India's rapid advancements in the field, "which will be game changer in future warfare". Notably, the project 'Design and development of photonic technologies for free space QKD' was sanctioned by the Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management (DFTM), DRDO, while Prof Bhaskar Kanseri's research team demonstrated the test. A breakthrough has been achieved by demonstrating quantum entanglement based communication in an experimental setup through DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE), IIT Delhi. The free-space quantum secure communication using quantum entanglement over a distance of… — DRDO (@DRDO_India) June 16, 2025 What is quantum entanglement? In simple terms, quantum communication involves sending information from one place to another using something called "quantum entanglement". Think of quantum entanglement like an invisible twin connection where two particles, even if miles apart, are linked in a way that what happens to one instantly affects the other. Unlike sending a physical object, you are sending the state or condition of a particle. Benefits of quantum communication Unbreakable encryption makes it a dual-use technology with applications in securing data in strategic sectors such as defence, finance, and telecommunications. Protecting national security-related communications. Free-space QKD eliminates the need to lay optical fibres, making it less expensive. Can be deployed in challenging terrains and dense urban environments. Previous breakthroughs Last year, in another DRDO-supported project, the scientists successfully distributed quantum keys using entanglement over a 100 km spool of telecom-grade optical fibre. Meanwhile, in 2022, the country's first intercity quantum communication link between Vindhyachal and Prayagraj was established using commercial-grade underground dark optical fibre.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Science
- Business Standard
DRDO, IIT-Delhi demonstrate experimental progress in quantum communication
India has successfully demonstrated an experimental advancement in quantum communication domain that paves the way for real-time applications in quantum cyber security, according to the defence ministry. "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," it said in a statement on Monday. With this, India has entered a "new quantum era", officials said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated the DRDO and IIT-Delhi for this landmark achievement, stating that India entered a new quantum era of secure communication which will be a "game-changer" in future warfare. "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," the statement said. 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, the ministry said. 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 senior officials of the DRDO, 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," the statement said. 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, it said. "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," the statement said. 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, it said. 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 the DRDO, where 15 Centres of Excellence have been established at premier academic institutes like IITs, IISc and universities for development of cutting-edge defence technologies. Department of Defence R&D Secretary and DRDO Chairman, Samir V Kamat, and IIT-Delhi Director, Prof Rangan Banerjee, also congratulated the team for these key achievements.
