PIB Summary - 13th May, 2025 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

C-DOT and Synergy Quantum Sign MoU to Jointly Develop Quantum Key Distribution Technology suited for Drone based systems.

C-DOT and Synergy Quantum India Collaborate on Drone-based QKD Systems

• MoU Signing: The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Synergy Quantum India to collaboratively develop drone-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems.
• Objective: The partnership aims to bolster India’s indigenous capabilities in quantum-secure communications, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Understanding Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)

• QKD is a method of secure communication that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to generate and share encryption keys between parties.
• It ensures ultra-secure data transmission by detecting any potential eavesdropping attempts through quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement.

Strategic Significance

• Partnership Between Public & Private Sector: The collaboration between C-DOT, a government research and development body, and Synergy Quantum, a private deep-tech firm, combines the research depth of the former with the industry agility of the latter.
• Aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat: The initiative supports indigenous development in emerging telecom and quantum-secure technologies, contributing to the Atmanirbhar Bharat goal.

Technological Highlights

• Focus: The collaboration focuses on the development of drone-based QKD systems utilizing:
• Decoy-based BB84 protocol.
• Polarization encoding for quantum communication.
• The target is to achieve Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL-6) or above, indicating prototype demonstration in a relevant environment.

Use Case Relevance

• The QKD systems are optimized for drone-based deployments, enabling secure communication in remote or tactical zones.
• Potential applications include defence, disaster response, critical infrastructure protection, and secure governance.

Collaborative Activities

• Joint research and development efforts in QKD for drones.
• Co-creation of grant proposals at both national and international levels.
• Dissemination of research findings through various channels, including research papers, whitepapers, conferences, workshops, and expert talks.

Vision and Goals

• Quantum Innovation Leadership: The collaboration aims to position India as a global leader in drone-based quantum communications.
• Quantum-safe Telecom Infrastructure: The initiative is expected to lay the groundwork for next-generation secure communication frameworks.

Stakeholders Involved

• Key personnel from C-DOT and Synergy Quantum were present during the MoU signing, indicating high-level institutional commitment from both sides.

Implications for India

•  The collaboration boosts India’s quantum ecosystem and supports the development of secure digital infrastructure. 
•  It contributes to strategic autonomy in cyber and telecom security. 
•  The initiative encourages a public-private innovation ecosystem in frontier technologies.