INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING
Pulchowk, Lalitpur
Highlights
Pulchowk, Lalitpur
Lalitpur, September 6, 2025 — In a landmark achievement for Nepal’s scientific community, researchers from Tribhuvan University, Institute of Engineering (IOE), Pulchowk Campus have published a groundbreaking study on quantum communication and network security in the highly reputed international journal “IET Quantum Communication”.
The research article, titled “Performance Analysis of Different Quantum Key Distribution Protocols for Optimised Security and Efficiency”, is co-authored by Prakash Dhakal, Dr. Babu R. Dawadi, and Nanda Bikram Adhikari from the Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering, IOE. This pioneering study establishes Nepal’s first major contribution to the evolving field of quantum cryptography and secure communication systems.
Supported by the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) under the grant ID NRG-081/82-Engg-04 and principally investigated by Dr. Babu R. Dawadi, the research explores next-generation Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocols, a revolutionary approach to securing digital communication against cyber threats and quantum-era attacks.
The study focuses on the comparative performance of three major QKD protocols:
• BB84 — The first and most widely used QKD protocol
• E91 — An entanglement-based quantum security mechanism
• Enhanced BB84 (EBB84) — A newly improved method for early detection of eavesdropping
Using IBM’s Qiskit quantum computing framework and realistic noise models, the researchers simulated secure key distribution over various communication conditions, including eavesdropping attacks and noisy environments similar to real-world telecommunication networks.
Key highlights of the findings:
• The Enhanced BB84 protocol (EBB84) demonstrated superior eavesdropper detection at shorter key lengths.
• E91 showed strong resilience under quantum entanglement but was more sensitive to environmental noise.
• The research provides strategic guidelines for integrating QKD into emerging infrastructures like 5G, 6G, and SDN.
This marks a historic moment for Nepal as it enters the global frontier of quantum network research. With cyberattacks and data breaches becoming increasingly sophisticated, the need for quantum-resistant security technologies has never been greater.
Speaking about the achievement, Dr. Babu R. Dawadi, the principal investigator, said:
“Our study opens the door for Nepal to contribute meaningfully to the global race for quantum-secure communications. With this breakthrough, we aim to position Nepal as an emerging hub for advanced cryptography and quantum network research.”
The article’s acceptance by IET Quantum Communication, WILEY, a highly ranked, peer-reviewed international journal, underscores the scientific value and originality of this work. This recognition not only elevates the standing of Tribhuvan University and the Institute of Engineering but also showcases Nepal’s growing research capacity on the global stage.