C-DOT Unveils 14 Indigenous Quantum Products (QKD and PQC)

C-DOT unveils 14 indigenous quantum-security products (QKD, PQC)

Next story · 31 AugBackgrounder: National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems

Battle Brief

On 31 August 2026, its 43rd Foundation Day, C-DOT unveiled 14 indigenous quantum products in Quantum Key Distribution and Post-Quantum Cryptography. They range from fibre-based QKD systems and single-photon detectors to quantum-safe encryptors of up to 200 Gbps, IP phones and wireless links, for telecom, enterprise and defence networks.

Fact File

Date: 31 Aug 2026, C-DOT 43rd Foundation Day
Body: Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), DoT
Products: 14 indigenous quantum products
Areas: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)
Algorithms: NIST PQC algorithms
Fastest encryptor: Q-AMOGH, up to 200 Gbps at Layer 1

In the news

C-DOT’s quantum security products: what happened?

Future quantum computers could break many of today’s encryption methods. Two defences exist: QKD, which uses quantum physics to share keys, and PQC, which uses new mathematical algorithms. C-DOT now has home-grown products in both.

C-DOT unveiled 14 indigenous products in Quantum Key Distribution and Post-Quantum Cryptography on its 43rd Foundation Day [PIB].

Back Story

What are some of the products?

Q-AKSHAY CD and Q-AKSHAY MD: fibre-based QKD systems.
C-SPD: a single-photon detector; C-RD: an RF driver for modulators.
Q-SETU (80 Mbps), Q-MAHASETU (40 Gbps), Q-AMOGH (200 Gbps): quantum-safe encryptors.
Q-VIKRAM and Q-PARAKRAM: defence-grade encryptors of up to 1 Gbps.
Q-DARSHAN, Q-VACHAN, Q-RAQSHAK, Q-VAAYU and Q-VAJRA1000: quantum-safe phones, enterprise, wireless and access solutions.

Back Story

Why does it matter?

It secures India’s communication networks for the quantum era.
It turns indigenous research into deployable products.
A Quantum Product Series booklet was also released.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on C-DOT’s quantum security products?

C-DOT: telecom R&D centre of DoT; 43rd Foundation Day on 31 Aug 2026.
QKD: Quantum Key Distribution; PQC: Post-Quantum Cryptography.
Q-AMOGH: quantum-safe optical encryptor up to 200 Gbps.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Science and technology: IT, computers, robotics, indigenisation

As per PIB (2026-08-31): C-DOT unveiled 14 indigenous products in Quantum Key Distribution and Post-Quantum Cryptography on its 43rd Foundation Day.
Quantum computers could break today's public-key encryption.

Quotable data point
C-DOT unveiled 14 indigenous products in Quantum Key Distribution and Post-Quantum Cryptography on its 43rd Foundation Day.
PIB: Communications: C-DOT quantum products, 31 Aug 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Which C-DOT product is a fibre-based Quantum Key Distribution system?

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB, 31 Aug 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

How many quantum products did C-DOT unveil?

14 indigenous products in QKD and Post-Quantum Cryptography.

What is Q-AKSHAY?

A fibre-based Quantum Key Distribution system; the CD version uses COW and DPS protocols and the MD version uses the MDI protocol.

Which algorithms do C-DOT's quantum-safe encryptors use?

NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography algorithms.