Another step towards strengthening Amaravati’s quantum technology ecosystem

SRM University-AP (Andhra Pradesh), in collaboration with C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics) and Amaravati Quantum Valley, announced the establishm...

What Happened

SRM University-AP (Andhra Pradesh), in collaboration with C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics) and Amaravati Quantum Valley, announced the establishment of a first-of-its-kind Quantum-Secure Communications Test Bed in Amaravati on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, May 17, 2026.
The test bed will support research and testing of quantum communication hardware, photonic and optical systems, encryption technologies, secure network infrastructure, and next-generation cyber defence solutions.
The initiative is positioned within Andhra Pradesh's Amaravati Quantum Valley ecosystem, aimed at building a world-class quantum research and commercialisation hub.
The facility will create a platform for students, researchers, startups, and deep-tech innovators to work on emerging quantum communication technologies.
The project directly addresses the threat that quantum computing poses to current classical encryption standards — any sufficiently powerful quantum computer could break RSA and ECC encryption that secures most of India's digital infrastructure today.

Static Topic Bridges

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) — The Core Technology

Quantum Key Distribution is a method of secure communication that uses the principles of quantum mechanics — specifically the behaviour of photons — to distribute cryptographic keys between two parties in a way that any eavesdropping attempt is physically detectable.

QKD exploits the quantum property that measuring a quantum state disturbs it (Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle); any interception of the quantum channel changes the photon states, alerting legitimate users
C-DOT has indigenously developed a QKD system based on Distributed Phase Reference (DPR) protocols; uses standard single-mode fibre for the quantum channel
C-DOT achieved India's first QKD transmission over Multi-Core Fibre (MCF), jointly with Sterlite Technologies Ltd (STL)
C-DOT is also developing drone-enabled QKD for aerial quantum key exchange — critical for mobile military communication
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC): Mathematical algorithms (Lattice-based, Code-based) that are resistant to quantum computer attacks; C-DOT has developed PQC products aligned with NIST standardisation
India's Critical Information Infrastructure sectors must begin formal PQC implementation by 2027

Connection to this news: The Amaravati test bed will serve as a real-world laboratory for QKD hardware testing and PQC integration — bridging the gap between laboratory research and deployable national security infrastructure.

National Quantum Mission (NQM) — India's Strategic Policy

India's National Quantum Mission (NQM), approved by the Union Cabinet in April 2023, is the country's flagship initiative to build end-to-end quantum capability across computing, communication, sensing, and materials.

Budget: ₹6,003.65 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2030-31
Nodal ministry: Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology
Predecessor: National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NM-QTA), announced in Union Budget 2020 with ₹8,000 crore outlay; restructured into NQM in 2023
Four mission verticals: Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology, Quantum Materials & Devices
Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs): Four T-Hubs to be established at top academic/national research institutions across the four verticals
NQM aims to position India among the top six nations globally in quantum technology by 2031

Connection to this news: The Amaravati test bed is a direct outcome of the quantum communication vertical of the NQM; C-DOT's participation reflects the DST-industry-academia collaboration model the Mission intends.

C-DOT — India's Telecom R&D Nodal Agency

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) is the premier telecom R&D centre of the Government of India, operating under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications.

Established: 1984 by Sam Pitroda under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's telecommunications modernisation push
Mandate: Develop and deploy indigenous telecom technologies; reduce import dependence in telecommunications
Key current focus areas: 5G/6G, QKD, PQC, Open RAN, quantum-safe networks
C-DOT has developed India's first indigenous QKD system; holds MoUs with multiple global quantum technology firms
Operates the Quantum Alliance programme to collaborate with Indian startups and academic institutions on quantum tech

Connection to this news: C-DOT's role as a technical partner in the Amaravati test bed ensures the facility will work with proven, deployable quantum communication solutions rather than purely academic prototypes.

"Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" Threat and Quantum Urgency

A core motivation for accelerating quantum-secure communication is the "harvest now, decrypt later" threat model, where adversaries collect encrypted communications today intending to decrypt them once quantum computers become capable enough.

Classical encryption standards (RSA-2048, ECC-256) are secure against classical computers but are theoretically breakable by a sufficiently powerful quantum computer using Shor's algorithm
Timeline estimate: Cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQC) could emerge within 10–15 years
Sensitive data — defence communications, financial transactions, diplomatic cables — has a long secrecy shelf life; even data encrypted today could be compromised retroactively
NIST (US) finalised the first set of post-quantum cryptographic standards in 2024; India is aligning domestic standards accordingly
Sectors most at risk: Banking/BFSI, defence, space, government communications, healthcare

Connection to this news: The test bed's focus on both QKD hardware and PQC directly addresses this threat; India is racing to deploy quantum-resistant infrastructure before CRQCs become a realistic adversary capability.

Key Facts & Data

National Quantum Mission budget: ₹6,003.65 crore (2023-24 to 2030-31); nodal ministry: DST
Original NM-QTA announced: Union Budget 2020; outlay ₹8,000 crore
C-DOT established: 1984; operates under Department of Telecommunications
C-DOT QKD: Based on Distributed Phase Reference (DPR) protocols; uses standard SMF telecom fibre
India's CII sectors must begin PQC implementation by 2027
NIST PQC standards (first set): Finalised 2024 (CRYSTALS-Kyber for encryption; CRYSTALS-Dilithium for digital signatures)
NQM targets positioning India among top 6 nations in quantum technology by 2031
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day: May 17
Amaravati Quantum Valley: AP government's quantum research cluster initiative