New Delhi: Department of Science & Technology (DST) Secretary Prof Abhay Karandikar inaugurated its National Hub for Quantum Communication at IIT Madras, giving a major boost to indigenous quantum technologies under the National Quantum Mission. The IITM C-DOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation has been set up at the IIT Madras Research Park.
The hub will lead national efforts in quantum-secure communication, develop testbeds, and support pilot deployments through collaborations with academia, industry and global partners. It will also back deep-tech startups and drive capacity building to strengthen India’s quantum ecosystem.
Prof Karandikar said: “We not only have given liberal funding but also ensured liberal funding guidelines for start-ups, eight of which have already been funded through the National Cyber-Physical Mission. Now, the hubs can fund the start-ups. IIT Madras Team has technical groups in this hub across different institutions. We have a lot of expectations on technologies and products at the end of five years, which will position India as a leader in Quantum Secure Communications.”
The Foundation’s focus areas include quantum cryptography, post-quantum security, quantum key distribution (QKD) networks, quantum memory, repeaters and satellite-based quantum communication.
Prof V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said: “Communication is becoming a very important factor, from both economic and National Security perspectives. We are thankful to DST for selecting IIT Madras to set up this hub. We intend to bring in people with a traditional, classical background and from the Quantum hardware side and also bring in quantum theory experts. I am sure we have the right industry partners and many students who are interested in taking this research.”
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