QUANTUM-SAFE INDIA: ROADMAP FOR POST-QUANTUM SECURITY

Quantum computing threatens the foundations upon which modern digital
infrastructure have been secured for decades. Public-key schemes such as
RSA, Elliptic Curve Cryptography and Diffie-Hellman have formed the
bedrock for e-governance, banking, telcos, digital identity, and industrial control;
however these are exposed to cryptographically relevant quantum computers with
sufficient computational power. This paper reviews the impetus for a quantum-safe
ecosystem in India, proposing a staged migration roadmap using post-quantum
cryptography (PQC), crypto-agility, cryptographic inventory, testing and certification,
and a few points of quantum key distribution at selected links. The paper draws on a
qualitative analysis of India's post-quantum strategy, the National Quantum Mission,
international PQC migrations, and enterprise/CII technical requirements. It argues that
India's migration should be treated as a national digital-trust program rather than
merely a technical refresh, and highlights an approach based on cryptographic asset
discovery and prioritization based on data shelf life and system criticality; pilot
implementation of hybrid PQC; certification by national laboratories and ongoing
algorithm lifecycle management. The paper suggests that migration can mitigate
"harvest now, decrypt later" threats; bolster sovereign assurance; foster local
innovation and enable India to lead the secure quantum age.