India demonstrates 1,000 km quantum communication network using indigenous technology
text_fields
India has successfully demonstrated a 1,000-kilometre quantum communication network using homegrown technology, marking a major milestone under the National Quantum Mission.
The network was developed in less than two years, significantly ahead of the mission’s original target of building a 2,000-kilometre network over eight years.
The system was built using indigenous technology by QNu Labs, a startup supported by the mission, and is now among the longest quantum key distribution networks in the world.
Abhay Karandikar described the development as a landmark achievement that exceeds initial expectations and positions India to meet its larger quantum communication goals.
The network uses quantum key distribution technology to enable highly secure communication. It is expected to strengthen data protection across defence, financial systems, and critical infrastructure, while also supporting deployment in challenging environments such as underwater and underground networks.
Following the success, the government has expanded support for startups under the mission, adding nine new ventures and taking the total number to 17. These startups are working on areas including quantum biosensors for disease detection, photon sensing technologies, quantum positioning systems, and atomic memory.
The development builds on earlier work by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, which demonstrated quantum entanglement-based secure communication over more than one kilometre in real-world conditions last year, achieving a secure key rate of 240 bits per second with a low error rate.
The National Quantum Mission was approved in April 2023 with a budget of Rs 6,003.65 crore for the period 2023 to 2031 to accelerate quantum technology development and strengthen India’s strategic and economic capabilities.
