Scientists from IIT-Delhi and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have scored a breakthrough in quantum cybersecurity by successfully proving entanglement-based free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) over a distance of more than one kilometre.
The experiment, carried out at the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence on the IIT Delhi campus, yielded a secure key rate of around 240 bits per second with a quantum bit error rate of less than 7%. This accomplishment marks a huge step forward in quantum secure communication technology, which uses the underlying features of quantum entanglement to establish communication channels that are inherently safe against all forms of eavesdropping.
The experiment used quantum entangled photons communicated via a free-space optical link, which was a departure from standard fibre-optic quantum communication methods. Unlike traditional prepare-and-measure QKD systems, this entanglement-based technique offers increased security even when communication devices are compromised.
Any effort to intercept or measure entangled photons disrupts their quantum state, making such intrusions instantaneously detectable to authorized users. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the achievement as India’s entry into “a new quantum era of secure communication, which will be a game changer in future warfare”.
The IIT-DRDO accomplishment falls within India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM), which has a financial allocation of ₹6,003.65 crore from April 2023 to 2031. The mission outlines India’s complete approach to establish itself as a global leader in quantum technologies across four themes: quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices. Within eight years, the NQM plans to produce intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits, establish satellite-based secure quantum communications over 2000 km, and build multi-node quantum networks with quantum memory.
However, the mission’s implementation has been hampered by substantial administrative and finance obstacles, which reflect larger issues afflicting India’s research environment. According to current sources, just ₹17.02 crore has been disbursed from the overall amount since the mission’s approval, which is a small percentage of the budget. The funding structure has moved to a “just-in-time” paradigm, in which researchers get spending limitations rather than direct financial transfers, and each transaction requires individual clearance through numerous bureaucratic layers. This system has caused significant delays and administrative difficulties, frustrating researchers trying to get crucial equipment and resources.
India’s massive investment pales in contrast to global competitors, particularly China and the United States, raising questions about the country’s ability to preserve technological sovereignty in this crucial arena. China has pledged roughly $15.3 billion in public funding on quantum computing, which is nearly 20 times India’s expenditure of $0.74 billion as of 2023. The United States has contributed $3.8 billion in government support, with additional private sector contributions far outweighing India’s entire commitment. China’s recent announcement of a $138 billion government-backed venture fund, which includes quantum computing start-ups, emphasizes the vast funding gap.
This financing imbalance has far-reaching consequences for India’s quantum research capability and strategic autonomy. Inadequate funding has limited India’s capacity to build domestic quantum hardware manufacturing skills, requiring it to continue relying on foreign vendors for essential components. To attain true technological independence in the quantum domain, Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Sood has emphasized that “India has to invest in Quantum hardware, we have to reduce our dependencies on imports”.
The Indian quantum research ecosystem is vulnerable due to its reliance on foreign hardware and software. Due to a lack of home manufacturing capabilities, essential quantum research equipment such as specialized cryostats, sensors, and superconducting components must be manufactured elsewhere. Even India’s most advanced quantum computing feat, QpiAI’s 25-qubit superconducting quantum computer “Indus,” relied on qubits made outside the nation, demonstrating the extent of hardware dependency.
The software ecosystem faces similar issues, as most quantum software stacks are now implemented by international corporations. This need extends to core quantum research tools and development environments, posing possible security risks and limiting India’s capacity to tailor solutions to unique national needs. The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser’s International Technology Engagement Strategy study admits these disparities, emphasizing that India must cut imports and improve in all areas of quantum computing in order to attain strategic autonomy.
The quantum research community has recognized a number of administrative difficulties that have a substantial impact on project timeliness and research effectiveness. The implementation of just-in-time funding has added layers of bureaucratic complexity, with researchers finding that funds must be granted by the Reserve Bank of India and then routed through many administrative levels before being available. To purchase crucial equipment, researchers must seek waivers for imports above ₹5 lakh before launching worldwide tenders, which can cause delays of several months.
Documentation requirements and the lack of single-window clearances have lengthened project timelines, forcing researchers to navigate various approval processes for ordinary purchases. These administrative impediments are especially difficult for quantum research, which frequently necessitates quick access to specialist equipment and materials that may be limited in global availability. Scientists are forced to accept short-term contracts and rent equipment rather than make long-term investments in research infrastructure.
India’s quantum start-up ecosystem suffers from a lack of venture capital interest, which limits the commercial development of quantum technology. As of November 2024, India had only six fundraising rounds for quantum computing start-ups, totaling $12.2 million—figures that pale in comparison to worldwide quantum investment trends. The absence of private investment has forced start-ups to rely significantly on government funding, limiting their ability to scale operations and compete globally.
The National Quantum Mission provides funding for start-ups, with grants ranging from ₹2 crore to ₹25 crore depending on technology readiness levels. However, experts emphasize the importance of a “government-first” approach, in which the state becomes the primary consumer for quantum technologies, providing critical validation and funding for domestic start-ups before they enter worldwide markets. Without such backing, India risks losing its top talent to international competitors that offer more pay and resources.
The global quantum race has accelerated dramatically, with major nations recognizing quantum technology as crucial to future economic and security gains. China’s plan is mainly reliant on state-sponsored research through organizations such as the University of Science and Technology of China, which runs a $10 billion National Quantum Lab. The United States maintains its leadership through a combination of government financing and private sector innovation, with corporations such as IBM, Google, and Microsoft spearheading quantum hardware and software research.
Europe has developed a €1 billion Quantum Technologies Flagship program, and the United Kingdom has formed the National Quantum Technologies Programme with significant government support. These worldwide initiatives highlight the strategic importance of quantum technologies, as well as the risks of falling behind in this important technology race. For India, the quantum gap is more than just a technological barrier; it also poses a danger to strategic autonomy and economic competitiveness.
The successful IIT-DRDO demonstration serves as proof of concept for India’s quantum capabilities, but expanding such successes requires major administrative and structural reforms. The government must reduce bureaucratic obstacles by establishing single-window permissions for quantum research initiatives and streamlining money disbursement methods. Creating specialized fast-track approval mechanisms for crucial quantum equipment imports could help to reduce project delays.
Investment priority must shift to developing domestic quantum hardware production capabilities, such as specialized fabrication facilities for superconducting qubits, photonic components, and cryogenic systems. Establishing quantum-specific manufacturing clusters with enough infrastructure and a competent workforce could lessen foreign reliance while providing economic opportunities for indigenous enterprises. The aim also necessitates stronger industry-academia collaborations to ensure that research findings are translated into economically viable products and services.
The quantum communication breakthrough at IIT-Delhi illustrates India’s scientific capacity, but realizing the full promise of quantum technology necessitates urgent administrative reform, additional investment, and a strategic emphasis on indigenous capabilities. Without solving these fundamental issues, India risks becoming a secondary player in the quantum revolution that will define the next generation of global technological leadership.
