One of the eight start-ups supported under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has successfully demonstrated an extensive quantum key distribution (QKD) network spanning over 500 kilometres.
The achievement has been made by QNu Labs Private Limited, Bengaluru, with the network deployed over existing optical fibre infrastructure. The announcement was made during the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025). The project has been supported through the I-Hub Quantum Technology Foundation, a Technology Innovation Hub under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NMICPS).
Further, the Indian Army’s Southern Command played an important role in enabling the capability demonstration. A test-bed optical fibre network was specifically designed and engineered by Southern Command signals for the QKD trial. Selective access to the fibre network in the Rajasthan sector enabled multiple nodes, including two trusted nodes, to support end-to-end quantum key exchange over the 500-kilometre route.
This development advances quantum-secure communication capabilities under the objectives of the National Quantum Mission and reflects collaboration across technology, research, industry, and defence ecosystems.
