India Targets Global Role in Quantum Communications Standards

In a speech delivered on August 25 for a foundation day event, India’s communications minister stated the country’s intent to lead in shaping international standards for 6G and quantum communications. Concurrently, C-DoT, the state-owned telecom research body, showcased nearly 14 quantum-related products at the same event. Though the speech outlines a new priority and displays prototypes, it didn’t announce specific funded programs, deployments, or operational quantum links.

Details of statements and demonstrations

Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, the Minister of State for Communications, spoke at the 43rd foundation day of the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), a research organization under the Department of Telecommunications. He highlighted India’s “opportunity to impact 6G, rather than just reading the standards” and to “make an impact in quantum communications and quantum security.” 

C-DoT reportedly unveiled nearly 14 quantum products, as described by the Economic Times. The report, however, lacked specific details about these products, such as whether they were Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) hardware, laboratory prototypes, or software. It also provided no performance data, deployment locations, or availability dates. Without such specifics, the number of products presented serves more as a headline figure than a true indicator of readiness. Globally, QKD remains a niche commercial technology.

Regarding standards, India has contributed to the ITU under the IMT-2030 framework, advocating for “ubiquitous connectivity” as one of the six 6G usage scenarios. The government, through the Department of Telecommunications’ TDIP scheme, encourages Indian participation in bodies like 3GPP, ITU, and oneM2M. While standards contribution is a significant effort, it is an input to a process that is still years away from finalization.

Concrete achievements in other sectors

The speech’s more concrete claims pertained to classical telecommunications rather than quantum. Pemmasani noted that a TCS-led consortium, including C-DoT and Tejas Networks, has successfully deployed an indigenous 4G stack for BSNL across one lakh sites, now serving 22 million subscribers. He also credited the Sanchar Saathi app and a fraud-risk indicator with preventing an estimated ₹4,000 crore in cyber fraud losses. These figures relate to 4G and cybersecurity, distinct from any quantum initiatives.

Pemmasani urged C-DoT to shorten its 12-to-18-month product cycle and develop “globally competitive products.” He also mentioned that the body’s revenue had increased from ₹80 crore to ₹600 crore in recent years.

Since no cryptographically relevant quantum computer currently exists, contemporary quantum-security efforts are primarily focused on mitigating future threats.