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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
