In a strategic move to strengthen India’s capabilities in quantum-secure communication, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), the leading telecom R&D institution under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Synergy Quantum India Private Limited, a pioneering deep-tech company specializing in quantum technologies.
The MoU formalizes collaboration between C-DoT and Synergy Quantum to develop Drone-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems using the decoy-based BB84 protocol with polarization encoding, achieving Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or above. This partnership aligns with India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, aiming to boost indigenous research and innovation in advanced telecom technologies.
Focus on Drone-Based Quantum Communications
The collaboration will focus on building quantum communication technologies optimized for drone-based deployment. This includes co-creating research proposals for national and international grants, and disseminating outcomes through scholarly publications, white papers, and technical platforms. Key representatives from both organizations will also participate in expert talks, short courses, and host symposia, conferences, and research-driven meetings.
Leadership Insights
During the MoU signing ceremony, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DoT, emphasized the importance of merging public R&D with private innovation to build a secure, self-reliant digital future for India.
“The convergence of public R&D and private innovation is essential to shaping a secure and self-reliant digital future for India. Quantum technologies hold immense promise for next-generation secure communications, and this collaboration with Synergy Quantum reflects our shared vision of accelerating indigenous capabilities in this critical domain. By combining our research depth with industry agility, we aim to jointly develop solutions that not only address national priorities but also contribute to India’s emergence as a global player in quantum innovation,” he stated.
Jay Oberoi, Founder and CEO of Synergy Quantum India, also expressed enthusiasm, stating “This partnership has the potential to position India as a global leader in drone-based quantum secure communications.”
Ceremony and Vision for the Future
The agreement was signed at a ceremony attended by Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DoT; Dr. Pankaj Dalela and Shikha Srivastava, Directors of C-DoT; alongside Jay Oberoi (CEO), Ajay Singh (COO), Dr. Vipin Rathi, and AM G S Bedi from Synergy Quantum, along with senior officials from C-DoT.
This partnership is set to pave the way for next-generation quantum-safe telecom infrastructure, with promising applications in defence, emergency response, critical infrastructure, and secure government communication, positioning India as a frontrunner in quantum-secure communication technologies.
