The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) unveiled 14 indigenous quantum products during its 43rd Foundation Day celebrations in New Delhi on 31 August 2026. The portfolio, which spans Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), was launched by Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia in the presence of Minister of State Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani and DoT Secretary Amit Agrawal. Together, the systems offer India a production-grade, quantum-safe shield for telecom, enterprise, defence and optical networks before powerful quantum computers can break today’s encryption.
What Is the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)?
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) is the premier telecom research and development centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Established on 25 August 1984 as an autonomous registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, it was founded under the guidance of Sam Pitroda with the original mandate to design indigenous digital telephone exchanges. Its early 128-port and Rural Automatic Exchange (RAX) systems triggered India’s indigenous telecom revolution in the 1980s.
Headquartered at the C-DOT Campus, Mehrauli, New Delhi, with additional research centres in Bengaluru (Electronic City) and Kolkata, C-DOT is a public funded research institution recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) under the Ministry of Science and Technology. It is one of the few government organisations appraised at CMMI-DEV Maturity Level 5. Today, nearly half of India’s fixed line infrastructure still runs on C-DOT technology. The centre is chaired by the Union Minister of Communications, currently Jyotiraditya Scindia, with Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay serving as Chief Executive Officer. Its 43rd Foundation Day, celebrated on 25 and 31 August 2026 at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, marked 42 years of indigenous telecom development and was used to launch the new quantum portfolio and a dedicated Quantum Product Series booklet.
What Are Quantum Key Distribution and Post-Quantum Cryptography?
Modern internet security relies on public key cryptography such as RSA and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). These methods protect passwords, online payments and government data. A large, error-corrected quantum computer running Shor’s algorithm could break this protection in hours. Two different approaches are being developed worldwide to stay secure in the quantum era. C-DOT’s new portfolio uses both.
What Is Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)?
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a hardware-based method that uses the laws of quantum physics, not mathematics, to share secret keys. It sends information as single photons, the smallest particles of light, over a dedicated optical fibre. Two key physics principles make it secure. The no cloning theorem states that an unknown quantum state cannot be copied exactly, and any attempt to measure a photon disturbs it. This means if an eavesdropper tries to intercept the photons, the sender and receiver can detect the disturbance by comparing a sample of bits and discard the compromised key.
QKD is often explained as physics-based security rather than computation-based security. It can provide what scientists call information theoretic security for the key exchange step, which means security that holds even against an adversary with unlimited computing power, at least in ideal conditions. In practice, QKD needs special equipment such as single photon sources and single photon detectors, dedicated fibre, and operates over limited distances of about 100 to 200 kilometres on unrepeated fibre. Beyond that, it needs trusted relay nodes or satellite links, as demonstrated by China’s Micius programme.
What Is Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)?
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), also called quantum-safe or quantum-resistant cryptography, is software-based. It refers to new mathematical algorithms that run on ordinary classical computers, servers and network hardware, but are designed to resist attacks from both classical and quantum computers. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the United States led an eight year global competition to select these algorithms.
In August 2024, NIST released its first three finalized PQC standards as Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS):
- FIPS 203, ML-KEM (Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism), derived from CRYSTALS-Kyber, for securing key exchange
- FIPS 204, ML-DSA (Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature), derived from CRYSTALS-Dilithium, for digital signatures and identity authentication
- FIPS 205, SLH-DSA (Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature), derived from SPHINCS+, as a backup hash-based signature
These are based on hard mathematical problems such as structured lattices and hash functions that experts believe even a future quantum computer cannot solve efficiently. Unlike QKD, PQC requires no new fibre or photon hardware. It can be deployed as a software upgrade to existing systems, including Transport Layer Security (TLS) and IPsec protocols. Under NIST IR 8547 and National Security Memorandum 10, the United States has set 2035 as the target for completing migration of federal systems to PQC. C-DOT’s encryptors and phones in the new launch use these NIST algorithms to remain secure against what experts call harvest now, decrypt later attacks, where an adversary records encrypted data today to decrypt it later when a quantum computer is available.
What Are the 14 Indigenous Quantum Products Unveiled by C-DOT?
C-DOT described the new offerings as production-grade systems, not laboratory prototypes. The portfolio was presented on a dedicated Quantum Wall and compiled in a booklet. It combines both QKD hardware and PQC-based encryptors and is designed for telecom, enterprise, wireless, optical, strategic and defence use. The 14 products fall into four functional groups.
Fibre-Based QKD Systems and Core Hardware Components
| Product | Function | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Q-AKSHAY CD | Compact fibre-based QKD system | Uses Coherent One Way (COW) and Differential Phase Shift (DPS) protocols, 1U chassis for secure key generation over fibre |
| Q-AKSHAY MD | Next-generation fibre-based QKD system | Uses Measurement Device Independent (MDI) protocol to remove vulnerabilities linked to measurement devices |
| C-SPD | Single-Photon Detector | Critical sub-module that detects individual photons in quantum communication links |
| C-RD | Wideband Radio Frequency (RF) Driver | Drives intensity and phase modulators that encode quantum signals, enables high performance operation |
Q-AKSHAY CD is designed as a compact, deployable unit for metro and backbone fibre networks, while Q-AKSHAY MD addresses a known weakness in many QKD implementations where attackers can exploit flaws in detectors. Both generate and distribute quantum keys that can then be used with standard encryption. The two hardware modules, C-SPD and C-RD, are building blocks that allow other Indian institutions and companies to build their own quantum communication systems without importing critical components.
Quantum-Safe Encryptors Across Layers 1 to 3
Network encryption operates at different layers of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. Layer 1 (physical/optical) encrypts the raw light signal at line speed with very low latency. Layer 2 (data link) encrypts Ethernet frames and hides metadata more completely. Layer 3 (network) encrypts IP packets, typically through IPsec, and is implemented in software or routers.
| Product | Network Layer | Throughput | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q-SETU | Layer 3 | Up to 80 Mbps | Small enterprise and branch office IP communications |
| Q-MAHASETU | Layer 2/3 | Up to 40 Gbps | Commercial grade, high speed enterprise and critical networks |
| Q-VIKRAM | Layer 2/3 | Up to 1 Gbps | Defence-grade secure communications |
| Q-PARAKRAM | Layer 2/3 | Up to 1 Gbps | Defence-grade with additional proprietary algorithms for strategic links |
| Q-AMOGH | Layer 1 optical | Up to 200 Gbps | High capacity Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) and optical transport links |
All five encryptors incorporate NIST PQC algorithms (ML-KEM, ML-DSA). Q-AMOGH works at the optical layer and secures all traffic types including Ethernet, Fibre Channel and SONET/SDH at full line rate with zero extra packet overhead. Q-MAHASETU brings 40 Gbps protection suitable for data centres and telecom backhaul. Q-VIKRAM and Q-PARAKRAM are hardened for defence, with Q-PARAKRAM adding extra proprietary protection alongside NIST standards.
Secure Communication Devices and Network Solutions
| Product | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Q-DARSHAN | Quantum-safe Video IP Phone | Directly integrates NIST PQC algorithms to protect voice and video calls |
| Q-VACHAN | In-line PQC node for IP phones | Retrofits existing IP phones to add quantum-safe security without replacing handsets |
| Q-RAQSHAK | Enterprise network protection solution | End to end PQC-based protection for enterprise infrastructure |
| Q-VAAYU | Wireless point-to-point solution | Secures wireless links with quantum-resistant encryption |
| Q-VAJRA1000 | Quantum-safe Access Node | Upgrades existing last-mile networks including GPON and wireless radios to quantum-safe operation |
Together, the last five products show how C-DOT plans to make migration practical. Rather than requiring a complete network replacement, Q-VACHAN and Q-VAJRA1000 allow existing phones and fibre-to-home access equipment to become quantum-safe. Q-RAQSHAK and Q-VAAYU extend the same protection to campus and wireless networks that many banks, government offices and critical infrastructure providers use today.
QKD vs PQC: How Do the Two Quantum-Safe Approaches Differ?
For serious preparation, the distinction between QKD and PQC is frequently tested. They are not interchangeable. C-DOT has intentionally built both into the same portfolio.
| Aspect | Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) | Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) |
|---|---|---|
| Basis of security | Laws of quantum physics (no cloning, measurement disturbance) | Hard mathematical problems (lattices, hash functions) that quantum computers cannot solve easily |
| Hardware needed | Dedicated photon sources, single photon detectors, dedicated fibre channel | Runs on existing servers, routers and phones as a software or firmware upgrade |
| Distance limit | About 100 to 200 km on unrepeated fibre, needs trusted relays or satellite beyond that | No distance limit, works over any network |
| Standardisation | Standardised by ETSI and ITU-T, but not yet mandated as general migration path by NSA or NCSC | Final NIST FIPS 203, 204, 205 mandated for migration by 2035 in many countries |
| Cost and maintenance | Higher cost, hardware dependent, limited flexibility for patches | Lower cost, crypto-agile, easy to update |
| Best use | Very high security point-to-point links, defence backbone, experimental networks | Broad deployment for banks, telecom, enterprise, internet protocols |
In simple terms, PQC is the software upgrade that everyone will need, while QKD is the specialist physics layer for the most sensitive links. Global security agencies including the United States National Security Agency (NSA) and the United Kingdom National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) recommend PQC as the primary migration path and view QKD as a complementary option for specific high assurance environments. C-DOT’s combined approach means India can protect everyday communications with PQC encryptors while also offering fibre-based QKD for strategic sectors.
Why Does This Comparison Matter for India?
India faces the harvest now, decrypt later risk because encrypted financial and strategic data can be stored today and broken later. By releasing Layer 1 to Layer 3 PQC encryptors alongside Q-AKSHAY QKD systems, C-DOT gives network operators a complete choice. A bank can upgrade its IP network with Q-SETU or Q-MAHASETU, a telecom operator can secure its optical backbone with Q-AMOGH, and a defence network can use Q-VIKRAM or add a physics layer with Q-AKSHAY MD where required.
Why Does the Launch Matter for India’s Secure Communication Future?
Link to the National Quantum Mission and Bharat 6G Vision
The launch directly supports the National Quantum Mission (NQM). Approved by the Union Cabinet on 19 April 2023 at a total cost of ₹6,003.65 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2030-31, the mission is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Its aim is to seed and scale research and innovation in quantum technology and to make India a leading nation in Quantum Technologies and Applications (QTA). The mission set targets including intermediate scale quantum computers with 20 to 50 qubits in three years, 50 to 100 qubits in later years, and ultimately 1,000 qubit systems, along with secure quantum communication networks and quantum sensors.
To deliver the mission, four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) were established in 2024 at IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras in collaboration with C-DOT, IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi, involving 152 researchers from 43 institutions across 17 states and 2 Union Territories. C-DOT’s products now provide the deployable hardware that these research hubs need to move from lab to field. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia explicitly linked the quantum products to Bharat 6G Vision, which seeks global leadership in 6G by 2030 through 3GPP and ITU IMT-2030 standards. C-DOT has stated that its quantum stack has already generated over $1 million in early commercial revenue, showing that the systems are production-grade rather than experimental.
Strategic and Economic Significance
The strategic stakes are high. Existing banking, telecom and defence networks rely on RSA and ECC, which could be broken by a future quantum computer. Without migration, long term confidential data such as health records, land records and strategic communications remain vulnerable to future decryption. Indigenous products reduce reliance on foreign vendors for critical encryption hardware, an important goal for national security.
The economic gain is also tangible. The portfolio helps India move from self-reliance to global supply. The government has pushed a Made in India, for the World approach, urging C-DOT to commercialise and export its telecom stack. India is already one of only four countries with an indigenous 4G and 5G stack and the fifth country to develop its own 4G core. Quantum-safe encryptors add a new export opportunity in a market where every country will need to upgrade before 2035. For exam relevance, note that quantum communication is one of the four verticals of the National Quantum Mission alongside quantum computing, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.
The Way Forward
C-DOT has indicated that the products are ready for integration into live telecom and enterprise networks, with some already deployed. The next steps will involve large scale field trials, certification under national security standards, and manufacturing through transfer of technology to Indian equipment makers.
Three challenges will decide success. First, migration at scale will require banks, telecom operators and government departments to inventory where vulnerable cryptography is used and replace it with NIST-standard PQC, a process NIST recommends starting immediately. Second, interoperability and cost must be managed so that Layer 1 to Layer 3 encryptors can work with multi-vendor networks without major redesign. Third, skilling and supply chain depth must grow, as specialised components such as single photon detectors and wideband RF drivers need domestic manufacturing capacity.
If these steps succeed, India will have a full indigenous chain from photon detector to phone to high speed optical encryptor, aligned with the National Quantum Mission timeline up to 2031 and the 6G roadmap to 2030. The launch thus marks a shift from research to deployment, positioning C-DOT not only as a telecom R and D centre but as a supplier of future-ready security infrastructure for India and for export.
Key Takeaways
- C-DOT, the autonomous telecom R and D centre of the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications, unveiled 14 indigenous quantum products on its 43rd Foundation Day on 31 August 2026 in New Delhi.
- Established on 25 August 1984 by the Government of India under Sam Pitroda, C-DOT is headquartered at Mehrauli, New Delhi with centres in Bengaluru and Kolkata and is appraised at CMMI Level 5.
- The portfolio covers Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), which secures keys using quantum physics, and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), which uses NIST-standardised lattice and hash-based algorithms that run on classical hardware.
- QKD systems include Q-AKSHAY CD (COW and DPS protocols, 1U fibre system) and Q-AKSHAY MD (Measurement Device Independent protocol), along with hardware modules C-SPD (Single-Photon Detector) and C-RD (wideband RF driver).
- Encryptors include Q-SETU (Layer 3, 80 Mbps), Q-MAHASETU (Layer 2/3, 40 Gbps), Q-VIKRAM and Q-PARAKRAM (defence grade, 1 Gbps), and Q-AMOGH (Layer 1 optical, 200 Gbps), all using NIST PQC algorithms.
- Secure devices and network solutions include Q-DARSHAN (quantum-safe video IP phone), Q-VACHAN (in-line PQC node), Q-RAQSHAK (enterprise protection), Q-VAAYU (wireless point-to-point) and Q-VAJRA1000 (quantum-safe access node for GPON and wireless).
- The launch supports the National Quantum Mission, approved on 19 April 2023 with an outlay of ₹6,003.65 crore for 2023-24 to 2030-31, implemented by DST through four Thematic Hubs at IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras with C-DOT, IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi.
