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In a major step towards advancing India’s position in innovation in quantum technology, the Telecom Centre of Excellence (TCOE) India and Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) – Visvesvaraya Research & Innovation Foundation (VRIF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This agreement sets the foundation for establishing a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Quantum Technology, as well as related 5G/6G technologies and other cutting-edge research areas. Headquartered at VTU-VRIF in Bangalore, the CoE aims to accelerate India’s progress in these frontier sectors as part of a broader 100-day program.
The MoU was formalised by Dr Vidya Shankar S, Vice Chancellor of VTU-VRIF, and Mr Vinod Kumar, DDG (SRI), DoT, and Director of TCOE India. The signing ceremony witnessed the presence of over 200 attendees, including representatives from VTU’s Executive Council, deans, heads of departments, and various experts from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and related fields.
The CoE will adopt a hub-and-spoke model for driving innovation, with VTU-VRIF and TCOE India at its core. By leveraging the expertise and infrastructure of VTU’s 228 affiliated colleges, the CoE will play a pivotal role in fostering research and development.
This collaborative approach is designed to streamline innovations in Quantum Technology and associated 5G/6G technologies, scaling these advancements rapidly across the network. Specialised innovation groups within the hub will focus on vertical industries, bringing in top experts from VTU’s affiliate institutions.
The Centre of Excellence will also serve as a catalyst for synergy among key organisations engaged in telecom standardisation, including the Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC), Bharat 6G Alliance, and TSDSI. In doing so, it will empower over 400,000 students, more than 2,000 PhD candidates, and numerous researchers within VTU’s network, fostering an ecosystem that accelerates research, development, and the commercialisation of groundbreaking technologies.
India is actively exploring the potential of quantum development and innovation to drive progress across multiple sectors, including telecommunications, healthcare, finance, and national security. By investing in quantum technologies, the country aims to revolutionise data processing, enhance cybersecurity, and improve decision-making capabilities.
A key advancement was recently achieved with the successful end-to-end testing of a 6-qubit quantum processor by the DRDO Young Scientists Laboratory for Quantum Technologies (DYSL-QT) in collaboration with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
Based on superconducting circuit technology, the integration of cloud-based interfaces and cutting-edge designs demonstrates India’s commitment to leveraging quantum innovation for applications across industries like telecommunications, healthcare, and cybersecurity, further reinforcing its leadership in the global quantum landscape.
India is also advancing its quantum optics capabilities with indigenous tunable laser systems developed by a spinoff of the Raman Research Institute (RRI). These cost-effective platforms, essential for quantum research, have applications in medicine, remote sensing, and space.
The lasers support India’s Rs. 6,000 crore (US$ 740 million) National Quantum Mission (NQM), enabling advancements in quantum communication and metrology. RRI’s spinoff aims to foster innovation in quantum technology while building an ecosystem of skilled professionals to drive research and industrial applications forward.
Indian scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough in cybersecurity by developing a method to generate truly unpredictable random numbers, essential for robust encryption in quantum communications. This advancement, achieved by the Quantum Information and Computing (QuIC) lab at Raman Research Institute (RRI) through photonic experiments, enhances data protection and prevents vulnerabilities in digital interactions.
The innovation, supported by institutions like IISc and IISER, aims to improve encryption, authentication, and cybersecurity. Additionally, India’s Department of Telecommunications is leveraging quantum technology and 5G for secure communications, driving future innovations in digital security.
These various developments epitomise India’s commitment to leveraging quantum innovation for applications across industries like telecommunications, healthcare, and cybersecurity, further reinforcing its leadership in the global quantum landscape.
