Latest news with #AjaiChowdhry
The Hindu
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
In a world of sanctions, India should develop specific technologies like quantum, says Ajai Chowdhry
When all kinds of sanctions are coming up in the world, it is important for India to develop and implement very specific technologies, and quantum was one of them, said Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman, Mission Governing Board of National Quantum Mission and EPIC Foundation. Autonomy in tech areas According to Mr. Chowdhry, the country required strategic autonomy, especially in critical tech areas under threat of international sanctions. A national plan was developed years ago for a large-scale quantum machine, now involving numerous institutions. Quantum Mission The government has already recognised these areas under the National Quantum Mission, earmarked ₹4,000 crore for quantum technology to be developed in India. Of this, over ₹2000 crore is for Space, Sefence, Atomic Energy and MeitY, he said, speaking at a fireside chat with Priyank Kharge, Karnataka's Minister for IT/BT, at Quantum India Bengaluru, a new annual exposition launched by Karnataka on Thursday. 'Quantum communication is a current strength in computing, however, India is a little behind but progress is ongoing,' he added. National startup schemes were designed to promote quantum innovation, offering sizable funding without initial equity demands, and startups could now apply at any time, and targets were tied to further funding increases, Mr. Chowdhry added. On Karnataka's focus on quantum technology, Mr. Kharge said the State government recognised the need for more investment in quantum technology, not just at the top, but starting 'at the bottom of the pyramid.' The recent budgets allocated funds for quantum initiatives, he said. The chat session focused on academia-industry collaboration, emphasised the need for committee formation, the need for curriculum changes and the need for building an ecosystem for quantum and AI. It also focused on startup and industry engagement, State and Central funding, and strategic autonomy.
Mint
02-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
How a $12 bn R&D scheme could change the way India makes technology
New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Union Cabinet approved a $12 billion scheme to support research, development and innovation (RDI) in India's technology and electronics sectors. The move came after decades of industry demands seeking promotion of designing electronics in India—and not just assembling consumer looks at why and how this scheme can affect the contours of India's electronics industry. How will the government's scheme work? With a net outlay of $12 billion ( ₹1 trillion) spread over multiple years, the scheme to finance the R&D budgets of companies will operate under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) of the Department of Science and Technology. Through a 'special purpose fund' within ANRF, the Centre will appoint an investment committee, which will be managed by ANRF's executive council. A group of secretaries under the Cabinet secretary will oversee the allocation of funds and appoint fund managers specially for this task. Which companies can apply for funds? Under the scheme, parties eligible to receive R&D grants will include companies working on green energy solutions, biotechnology device manufacturers, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, artificial intelligence solutions and devices catering to agriculture, health and education, digital economy stakeholders such as financial services, deeptech applications such as quantum computing, robotics and space, and 'strategic" technologies that serve national security and public utilities. Why is such a scheme necessary? India's technology ecosystem largely works on secondary layers of applications and innovations. In simpler words, although India builds applications in AI, robotics and other sectors, they are mostly built on foundational, patented technologies developed by companies in the US, China, Japan, Korea and the European Union. This means that the fundamental innovation layer in most technologies is not owned by India today. Industry stakeholders have repeatedly voiced their concerns that in current geopolitical conditions, this leaves India at the risk of facing economic sanctions in case of a conflict with other nations. Furthermore, not owning the fundamental design patent of critical technologies such as communications network infrastructure leaves India vulnerable to cyber warfare and other such concerns—a mass-scale cyber-attack that took down Maharashtra's power grid during India's Galwan Valley skirmish with China in 2020 is a major example of thi New Delhi is keen to change this and replace technology and telecommunications infrastructure supplied to India by Chinese tech companies with locally developed ones. To do this, building core patents requires significant investments in research and development initiatives. But India does not do enough of it. Google invests almost 15% of its quarterly revenue in R&D. Ajai Chowdhry, chairman of industry body Epic Foundation, said that private companies in China and Japan invest up to 5% of their revenue in R&D. In India, however, the median level of R&D investment in the private sector is about 0.6%. Tata Consultancy Services, India's largest technology firm by valuation, invests 1.1% of its yearly revenue in R&D. The RDI scheme now hopes to boost this figure by offering low-interest loans of up to 50 years to boost the R&D budgets in India's private companies. Can this make a major difference? Potentially, yes. So far, Dixon Technologies, Bhagwati Products, Kaynes Technology, Amber and Bharat Foxconn International Holdings have been assembling electronic devices in India at scale. In semiconductors, India's first chip fabrication plant by Tata Electronics is expected to produce its first demonstrator chip by the end of next year. Kaynes, HCL and US-based Micron are creating chip-testing facilities in India, which are set to become operational by the end of this year. But none of this involves the development of patented foundational technologies that are ready for domestic or international usage. In the semiconductor industry, while India is home to almost one-fifth of the world's chip design engineers, it does not own any semiconductor intellectual property (IP) and is reliant on the US quartet of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Intel, Nvidia and Qualcomm for chip reference designs. These core electronics designs today power all consumer devices, but more importantly, critical networking hardware, financial services, connected cars, power grids, smart oil rigs and industrial infrastructure. In case of a conflict with any nation that owns patents sourced by India, the country could face the risk of not being able to build its critical infrastructure. Assembly plants, therefore, are only secondary innovation layers and cannot replace the importance of a patent held by other countries. While much will depend on execution, the RDI scheme will seek to help private companies and research institutes to build such patents and help India develop its own critical technology infrastructure. Does this mean that all tech in India will be indigenous? Not overnight. Building patents requires years of investing in research and creating a technology that is fundamentally unique to not infringe upon IP owned by other companies. Another crucial factor is that the US and China do not just own patents, they also build technologies at scale, which allows them to sell chips, devices and other hardware at significantly low costs. For India, building this scale will take time. Eventually, India's goal, as detailed by the ministry of telecommunications, is to replace tech infrastructure sourced from other countries with an indigenous stack. In the long run, indigenisation will be one of the end results of the RDI scheme. This, though, does not mean that all technologies will work in silos. In the long run, Indian technologies will look to comply with global tech infrastructure and be interoperable with what the US and China build.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Best of BS Opinion: When ignored threats begin to shape the future
There's a certain kind of threat that thrives in silence, not because it is invisible, but because it is ignored. Like shadows in the corner, these risks expand in scale and consequence the longer they remain unattended. Often, they are not new. They simply wait, growing sharper in the background, until the cost of looking away becomes undeniable. Let's dive in. Consider Ukraine's recent drone offensive inside Russian territory. What might once have seemed improbable, a smaller nation infiltrating the airspace of a nuclear power, was executed with precision and audacity. Ukraine used first-person-view drones disguised as construction supplies, launched from trucks masquerading as commercial deliveries. As our first editorial notes, the strike may have damaged a third of Russia's strategic bomber fleet. But beyond the military feat lies a deeper alarm: the rise of asymmetric warfare using cheap tech and commercial infrastructure. For countries like India, the shadow here is a soft underbelly, critical sites and industrial zones vulnerable to attacks that no longer require missiles, just logistics and intent. Meanwhile, the 'missing middle' of India's economy — its medium enterprises — faces a quieter, systemic neglect. As a Niti Aayog report reveals, these firms are crucial to exports and innovation but receive little targeted support. Sandwiched between micro units and large corporations, they fall through policy cracks, unable to scale or modernise. Left unchecked, this oversight could dim India's manufacturing future, as incentives continue to reward staying small and informal, argues our second editorial. Ajai Chowdhry cautions of another expanding shadow: data insecurity. Despite India's digital rise, sovereignty over data remains elusive. Foreign tech giants exploit legal loopholes, storing Indian data offshore and evading domestic regulations. As AI systems reshape global power structures, India must act decisively to retain control over its digital assets—before the opportunity slips too far. In the green economy too, delays carry weight. As Prosenjit Datta notes, India's EV sector now feels the pinch of China's export restrictions on rare earth magnets. The crisis highlights a broader vulnerability: a lack of urgency in mining and processing critical minerals at home. Without bold intervention, the country's clean energy transition could falter under imported dependencies. Even the Constitution, as reviewed by Shreekant Sambrani in Shashi Tharoor's latest book called Our Living Constitution: A concise introduction & commentary, is framed as under ideological siege. Yet the analysis itself suffers from imbalance, offering more alarm than insight. In trying to confront one shadow, it casts another. Stay tuned, and remember, some corners remain dark not because light can't reach them, but because no one bothers to switch it on!
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Charting India's quantum future: Policy, startups & pursuit of technological leadership
Few missions in India's tech landscape have generated as much excitement—and anticipation—as the National Quantum Mission (NQM). Launched in April 2023, and operationalised in earnest from January 2024, the mission aims to catapult India into the elite league of nations pioneering quantum technologies. With a bold focus on product development, indigenous innovation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration, NQM is not just about research—it's about outcomes. At the helm of this transformative initiative is Dr. Ajai Chowdhry , co-founder of HCL and Chairman of the EPIC Foundation, who chairs the Mission Governing Board. In this wide-ranging interview with ETGovernment's Ashutosh Mishra, Dr. Chowdhry outlines the structured and goal-oriented approach of the mission—covering everything from T-Hub development and startup incubation to upcoming quantum security standards and a national policy framework. India's quantum journey, it appears, is no longer a distant aspiration but a calibrated strategy in motion. Edited excerpts: Where does the National Quantum Mission currently stand in terms of execution? The mission was launched in April 2023, but actual implementation began in January 2024 with the formation of the Mission Governing Board, which I was appointed to chair. The Board comprises key secretaries from DRDO, MeitY, Department of Space, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Defence, and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), where the mission is housed. In our first meeting, we decided to get the R&D work started. The government had given a clear directive to establish four technology hubs (T-Hubs): one each in quantum computing , quantum communication, quantum sensing, and quantum materials & devices. We issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) within a week, and received an overwhelming 315 responses. After evaluating them over two months, we selected: IISc for quantum computing, IIT Madras for quantum communication, IIT Bombay for quantum sensing, and IIT Delhi for materials and devices. Each T-Hub was asked to submit six-monthly detailed work plans. This is not research for the sake of research - the mission is product-oriented. The government has defined clear deliverables. For example, in quantum computing, the target is to build a 1000- qubit system. In communication, the goal is a secure 2500 km fiber and space link. Similarly, specific goals exist in sensing and materials. What is the structure adopted for these T-hubs and their operations? We're following a hub-and-spoke model. Along with the four hubs, we have selected 85 researchers from different institutes to work as spokes. Each hub will have its own governing board and a Section 8 company to allow operational flexibility - free from rigid government procedures. Each of these Section 8 companies will have a CEO and a board. The hubs have submitted their detailed plans, which were approved by March 2025. Initial seed funding was provided around four months ago, and the next tranche of funding for research will be released within the next 15 to 30 days. What are you doing to support startups and increase their interest and participation in the National Quantum Mission? Startups are a crucial pillar. We've launched a dedicated startup program that allows for up to ₹30 crore in funding per startup - which is unmatched under any similar support scheme. Of course, the amount varies - some get ₹30 crore, others ₹15 crore, ₹10 crore, or ₹5 crore - depending on their merit. The eligibility criteria include being an Indian company with at least 51% domestic ownership, and the IP must remain in India. In return, the government has put in place a unique security clause, that is, when these startups raise venture capital, they must offer the government the option to buy shares at a 30% discount. This is unprecedented in government funding models. So far, eight startups have been awarded grants. The first cohort was launched in mid-2023, before the T-Hubs were ready. One of the existing Department of Science and Technology hubs handled the evaluations then. Now, with the T-Hubs operational, they will take over that responsibility going forward. Any plans to scale the number of startups supported under the mission? The first phase was through an RFP, and we received nearly 100 applications - eight were selected. We are now planning a new monthly rolling cohort model, where startups can apply by the 15th of every month. This new program is under discussion and awaiting board approval. We expect it to launch in the next month or so. What are you doing, when it comes to the space of education and talent development in the Quantum computing space? We've partnered with AICTE to launch an undergraduate curriculum in quantum technology, developed by a committee under the NQM. It will roll out in 75 universities starting July 2025, and the curriculum is already finalized. We're also providing lab equipment to these universities to support teaching requirements. Additionally, we're training faculty and developing a vast library of supporting video content. An MS program is under development and should be ready in the next month or two. Meanwhile, an MS program was already launched at IISER Pune in September 2024, and the first cohort is underway from there. How is the mission being coordinated across different efforts? We've established a Mission Coordination Center in Noida, under the aegis of IIT Kanpur. Its role is to monitor and ensure that the hubs and projects stay on target. It will conduct six-monthly reviews and also oversee the startup initiative - at least until the T-Hubs fully take over. What is being done on the policy and security front, especially with the quantum threat to cybersecurity? We are developing a detailed quantum policy to guide all departments on transitioning from classical RSA standards to quantum-secure systems. The Board has approved the terms of reference, and a team has been constituted to write this policy. The shift can't happen overnight - organizations like banks operate cybersecurity systems across thousands of sites. Hence, we are advising a staggered, long-term implementation plan. Departments like the armed forces have already taken the lead in this front and have begun implementing some quantum-secure measures. We're also working on standards, accreditation, and product approvals. The Department of Defence (DoD) is helping us on this front, and we are collaborating with the National Physical Laboratory to define Indian standards rather than follow American benchmarks. We want to lead, not follow. Despite recent developments in quantum computing, the momentum of private sector involvement in this field still seems limited compared to other emerging technologies. In your opinion, what needs to be done to increase private participation in quantum R&D? We've held meetings with major IT companies - TCS , Tech Mahindra , HCL, Wipro - to encourage them to initiate quantum research in algorithms and applications, areas where they can significantly contribute. We also brought in pharma companies to demonstrate how quantum technologies could aid drug discovery. The idea was to get the groundwork laid before pulling in large numbers. With over 150 people now involved, the base is strong. Ongoing funding will be tied to regular six-monthly milestone reviews. On the funding, do you think the initial allotment of ₹6,000 crore, is adequate for such an ambitious program? The total budget is ₹6,000 crore, with ₹4,000 crore under DST and ₹2,000 crore contributed by the Department of Space, Atomic Energy, and Defence. MeitY - though initially missed out - has now joined and allocated ₹500 crore, with plans to raise that to ₹1,000 crore. Many people ask if this is enough, and I say - don't just look at the rupee number. The PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model will amplify what we can deliver. Let's first spend what we have. When we run out, we can always go back to the government and ask for more. Amidst the ever rising cyber frauds - do you think quantum technologies can help curb rising cybercrime and financial frauds? If we can make our systems quantum secure, today's cybersecurity challenges - especially in financial systems - can be dramatically mitigated. And that's the direction we're heading toward.
Mint
05-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
India quantum startups win record grants; move closer to real-world applications
The National Quantum Mission (NQM) has awarded up to ₹ 30 crore each to eight startups, aiming to jumpstart India's presence in quantum technologies ranging from quantum computing, sensing, communications, and materials. This makes it the largest government-led startup investment initiative, according to Ajai Chowdhry, chairman of the Mission Governing Board of the National Quantum Mission, and EPIC Foundation. "No other central government scheme has disbursed such large individual funding amounts to early-stage ventures," he told Mint in an interview. Government initiatives like Startup India or MeitY's TIDE 2.0 have supported thousands of startups, but funding was typically capped at ₹ 1–2 crore. NQM was launched in 2023 with an outlay of ₹ 6,003 crore. The first phase of the program saw over 100 applicants, of which 32 startups were shortlisted. While eight have secured funding, a second cohort is expected to be announced later this month, with the department of science and technology (DST) indicating it may fund up to 16 more startups by the end of the year, according to Chowdhry. The selected eight startups are working on a wide range of applications. While QNu Labs from Bengaluru is focused on developing quantum-safe networks to enable secure communications, QPiAI India has already built a 25-qubit superconducting quantum computer. Unlike classical bits (used in our everyday computers), quantum bits, or qubits, can be both 0 and 1 at the same time due to superposition, allowing quantum computers to process many possibilities simultaneously. At IIT Mumbai, Dimira Technologies is working on cryogenic cables essential for quantum systems, while Prenishq, incubated at IIT Delhi, is creating precision diode-laser systems for use in quantum sensing and computing. Pune-based QuPrayog is developing optical atomic clocks to support advancements in quantum meteorology. In Delhi, Quanastra is engaged in building advanced cryogenic systems and superconducting detectors. Ahmedabad's Pristine Diamonds is designing diamond-based materials tailored for quantum sensing, while Quan2D Technologies in Bengaluru is working on next-generation single-photon detectors critical to quantum communication systems. For these companies, the NQM grants are catalytic. 'This funding gives them runway for the next 2–3 years without dilution," said Chowdhry. India is the sixth country in the world to launch a national quantum mission after the US, China, Canada, Germany, and the UK. By backing startups with significant capital at an early stage, the NQM is attempting to do what private venture funding in India has largely avoided: bet on deep-science startups with long gestation periods and uncertain returns. 'This program marks a shift in how the Indian state views risk and innovation," said Chowdhry, adding, 'It's a moonshot, but that's exactly what this space needs." Also Read: Quantum computers may soon outclass traditional ones, says IBM fellow Jay Gambetta The startups must meet strict performance milestones, including demonstrable prototypes and intellectual property (IP) filings. To retain the IP in India, the government mandates startups to be Indian-owned, headquartered in India, and at least 51% Indian-owned to qualify for funding. Further, the government is introducing a rolling system—applications can be submitted on the 15th of every month, and selected cohorts will be finalized within three months. However, to manage the volume and ensure progress, startups that have already applied must wait six months before reapplying—unless they can demonstrate significant new development or research. "Each startup proposal is carefully reviewed by a technical committee to assess its viability and the funding required to reach Technology Readiness Level 9 (TRL-9). Also, it's not enough to just build the technology—there must be a sound business model behind it. To ensure this, we've brought experienced investors on board to review business plans alongside technical feasibility," Chowdhry explained. Through the Noida-based Mission Coordination Centre (MCC), NQM is focusing on guiding startups too, since they require early-stage support. Each startup is paired with a relevant Thematic Hub (T-hub) and assigned both a technology mentor and a business mentor to safeguard the success of the investment. On 30 September, 2024, India announced the setting up of four T-Hubs at premier institutions—Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, and IIT Delhi, in partnership with the Centre for Development of Telematics in New Delhi. 'All four T-hubs are operational. Hiring is underway, and several positions have already been filled. Our strategy is to focus on prototype development in the first two to three years, product development by year six, and finally, market deployment beyond that," Chowdhry said, adding, "Even if only three out of eight startups succeed, that's acceptable—that's the nature of innovation." Some Indian startups are already translating these innovations into real-world impact. In the field of quantum security, for instance, several startups already have functional products, and research institutions such as IIT Madras and the Raman Research Institute have also developed their own technologies. India is among the first to have developed homegrown products in quantum key distribution (QKD) and post-quantum cryptography (PQC), Chowdhry pointed out. QNu Labs, which recently raised ₹ 60 crore in Series A funding, led by NQM, has already demonstrated fibre-based quantum communication over 250 kilometres, and is now conducting tests to reach 500 kilometres. This test, supported by funding, is expected to conclude within the next three to six months. Following that, NQM plans to collaborate with the department of telecommunications (DoT) and the Indian Army to establish a 2,000-kilometre test network, which will likely take between one and two years. "Our initial target was to achieve 2,500 kilometres in eight years, but we may actually reach that milestone much earlier," Chowdhry said. The Quantum Materials T-hub, located at IIT Delhi, is focusing on designing and synthesising quantum materials and devices based on quantum technologies. In the sensing domain, India is developing magnetometers, gravimeters, and atomic clocks. "A key difference between this mission and past efforts is that we are not pursuing research for the sake of research alone; instead, every lab is required to develop products that reach TRL-8 and TRL-9. Progress is reviewed every six months by the MCC, and we have clearly defined steps to guide the process," Chowdhry explained. Quantum sensing is also emerging as a major focus area for military and strategic applications, he added. For instance, in naval warfare—where GPS signals can be unreliable or spoofed—non-GPS-based sensing technologies are becoming essential. Discussions with institutions like the Naval Warfare College have underscored the value of underwater sensing capabilities. Instruments like gravimeters (they measure local gravitational strength, and quantum gravimeters use ultra-cold atoms and quantum interference to achieve highly precise readings) developed at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay are already showing promise. The aim is to miniaturize these into handheld devices, opening up significant use cases in underground and underwater detection. Also Read: Meet the four musketeers of India's quantum computing dream As part of NQM's skilling initiative, both undergraduate and postgraduate programs are being launched to build a strong talent pipeline. The undergraduate program was announced in December, and the first academic session will begin in August 2025 across 75 universities. The preparatory work includes developing course materials focused on quantum theory and producing a comprehensive set of video lectures. To support the infrastructure, NQM will fund essential laboratory equipment for each participating university. A standard equipment list has been prepared, and universities will receive funds to make the necessary purchases, ensuring consistency and readiness across institutions. On the postgraduate side, the curriculum for the Master's program is currently being finalized. One such program has already been launched at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, where students are currently enrolled, according to Chowdhry. Quantum computers use various types of qubits like superconducting qubits (such as the one used by TIFR), trapped ion qubits, quantum dots, photons, and neutral atoms. With NQM, India plans to develop quantum computers with 50-100 qubits in about five years, and accelerate it to 1000 qubits and beyond in eight years. That said, QPiAI is 'actively marketing the hardware and software capabilities of its 25-qubit superconducting quantum computer globally", Chowdhry said. He argued that contrary to the belief that 25 qubits are insufficient, the company has 'made significant strides in application development". 'Their hybrid model—which integrates quantum computing into a traditional data center—is being used for advanced modeling and simulation, artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in education, and even drug discovery," he added. Yet, to make quantum computers stable and functional for everyday use, we need quantum error correction (QEC). One also has to build quantum algorithms for practical applications. Recognizing the importance of robust algorithm development—particularly for fault tolerance and error correction—NQM, according to Chowdhry, is launching a dedicated initiative focused on quantum algorithms. This will invite proposals from developers who can advance this critical area, enabling more reliable and scalable quantum systems going forward. Chowdhry acknowledged that there have been some delays in acquiring equipment due to existing government procurement rules, which tend to slow down the process. However, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has approached the government to request relaxation of these rules, specifically for the mission, he added. "The aim is to reduce procurement time from the current 12 months to just two to four months. This proposed change is critical. Across the country, researchers often struggle with delays in equipment acquisition due to bureaucratic hurdles. Since the NQM is a strategic initiative and not a standard project, we are advocating for special provisions to streamline equipment purchases and accelerate progress," Chowdhry concluded. Also Read: Three govt arms join forces to shield India in the quantum computing era
