Concept:
A superconductor is a material that shows zero electrical resistance below its critical temperature.
Step 1: In ordinary conductors, current decreases with time because electrical resistance causes energy loss as heat.
Step 2: In a superconducting ring:
\[
R=0
\]
So there is no energy loss due to resistance.
Step 3: Because resistance is zero, current can continue to flow for a very long time without decay. This is called persistent current.
Step 4: Also, magnetic flux in a superconducting ring is quantized, which helps maintain stable current states.
Therefore, persistent current is possible because:
\[
\boxed{\text{Resistance is exactly zero and flux is quantized}}
\]