In a groundbreaking move that reinforces India’s ambition to lead in emerging technologies, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) — the country’s premier telecom R&D body under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India — has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Synergy Quantum India Pvt. Ltd., a pioneering deep-tech company specializing in quantum technologies.
The MoU marks the beginning of a dynamic collaboration to co-develop Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems specifically designed for drone-based communications. This partnership is a significant step towards creating a quantum-secure communication infrastructure, essential for safeguarding India’s digital ecosystem in an era of rising cybersecurity threats.
A Game-Changing Leap in India’s Quantum Tech Journey
At the heart of this collaboration lies the aim to develop next-generation QKD systems leveraging the decoy-based BB84 protocol with polarization encoding — a globally recognized method for secure quantum communication. These systems are targeted to reach Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or above, indicating readiness for real-world deployment and testing.
The application of such technologies in unmanned aerial systems (drones) can revolutionize secure data transmission for defence operations, emergency response, critical infrastructure, and government communications, offering resilience against the growing threat of quantum cyberattacks.
Strategic Vision Aligned with ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’
The MoU reflects a strong commitment to India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, pushing forward indigenous research, innovation, and technological self-sufficiency. The partnership will foster knowledge exchange, promote cross-sector innovation, and support the creation of intellectual property in the domain of quantum-safe telecom.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, stated:
“This collaboration represents the synergy of cutting-edge research and agile innovation. By combining C-DOT’s telecom R&D expertise with Synergy Quantum’s advanced quantum capabilities, we aim to develop practical, scalable solutions for secure communications that address both national and global priorities.”
Mr. Jay Oberoi, Founder & CEO of Synergy Quantum India, shared his vision:
“This is more than just a partnership — it’s a shared mission to place India at the forefront of quantum communication technologies. The potential of drone-based QKD is immense, and together with C-DOT, we’re confident of making India a global innovation hub in this sector.”
Collaboration Beyond the Lab: Capacity Building & Global Impact
The MoU also includes mutual cooperation in the development of research proposals for national and international grants, publication of white papers, and participation in global conferences, workshops, and symposia. The aim is not just to create new technology but also to build a robust ecosystem of quantum researchers, technologists, and innovators in India.
Senior leadership from both C-DOT and Synergy Quantum, including Dr. Pankaj Dalela, Ms. Shikha Srivastava, Mr. Ajay Singh, Dr. Vipin Rathi, and AM G.S. Bedi, participated in the signing ceremony, symbolizing a shared commitment to transforming India’s telecom security landscape.
Why This Matters
Quantum Key Distribution offers unhackable communication, and integrating it with drone platforms makes it even more powerful and versatile. In a world increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats — especially from quantum computing — this partnership is India’s answer to future-proof digital security.
By embracing and investing in such disruptive technologies, India is not only preparing to defend its national interests but is also sending a strong message to the world — that it is ready to lead the future of secure, autonomous, and quantum-powered communication systems
