In November 2024, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry for Science and Technology (MoS&T) announced the selection of 8 StartUps for support under the Department of Science and Technology (DST)’s newly framed guidelines.
- These startups were selected under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) and the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NMICPS).
- These startups were selected through a rigorous evaluation process aimed to promote innovation and advance India’s quantum ecosystem.
About 8 Selected StartUps:
i.QNu Labs: It is based at Bengaluru(Karnataka). It is advancing in quantum communication by developing end-to-end quantum-safe heterogeneous networks.
ii.QPiAI India Private Limited: It is located in Bengaluru. It is currently working on developing a superconducting quantum computer.
iii.Dimra Technologies Private Limited: It is based at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Mumbai) in Mumbai(Maharashtra). It is focusing on indigenous cryogenic cables crucial for quantum computing.
iv.Prenishq Private Limited: It is located at IIT-Delhi in Delhi. It is creating precision diode-laser systems.
v.QuPrayog Private Limited: It is located in Pune(Maharashtra). It is developing innovative optical atomic clocks and related technologies in the field of quantum sensing and metrology.
vi.Quanastra Private Limited: It is located in Delhi, is building advanced cryogenics and superconducting detectors.
vii.Prisitine Diamonds Pvt. Ltd.: It is based at Ahmedabad(Gujarat). It is developing diamond material for quantum sensing.
viii.Quan2D Technologies Private Limited: It is based at Bengaluru. It is developing superconducting Nanowire Single-photon Detectors.
About NQM:
i.In 2023, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi had approved NQM with the budget outlay of Rs 6,003.65 crore for a period of 8 years i.e. from Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24) to FY31.
ii.The key target of NQM is to develop intermediate scale quantum computers with 50 to 1000 physical qubits in 8 years in various platforms such as superconducting and photonic technology.
iii.The NQM is led by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), MoST under a Mission Director.
DRDO and IIT Delhi Organised Demonstration of Various Quantum Communication Technologies
The Defence Research and Development Organisaton (DRDO) Industry of Academia-Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) and IIT Delhi have achieved a significant milestone in secure communication with the successful demonstration of various quantum communication technologies in New Delhi, Delhi.
- These demonstrations were primarily focused on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), a cutting-edge method of encrypting information without being detected.
- Quantum communication holds great potential for improving security in strategic sectors like: defence and finance, by facilitating robust and tamper-evident communication channels.
Note: DIA-CoE is developed as a collaborative initiative between DRDO and IIT-Delhi, set up at IIT Delhi campus in Delhi.
Key Experiments :
i.QKD was demonstrated over 50 kilometer (km) fiber link in the lab while, a separate field test has demonstrated entanglement distribution and QKD over 8 km of optical fiber in IIT-Delhi campus.
ii.Free-space Entanglement distribution was showcased using the BBM-92 protocol, between two tables separated by 20 meters (m) in the lab and 80 m in the open space. The experiment showed short-range quantum communication in a free-space setup.
- This result is achieved due to free-space heralded single photon source with a heralding rate of over 4 million counts/sec.
iii.Another standout experiment was hybrid entanglement, which achieved a very low Quantum Error Rate (QBER) of around 6% in the laboratory over a distance of 10 m in the lab.
- This experiment holds significance as it opens doors for more flexible, multi-protocol quantum communication systems.
Points to Note:
i.India’s 1st QKD demonstration was conducted by DRDO labs in partnership with IIT-Delhi in 2022, where quantum communication was set up between Prayagraj and Vindhyachal, separated by 100 km.
ii.The indigenization of various components like: quantum sources and detectors are initiated, including single photon sources on LNOI, SNSPD, among others.
- These projects are launched by IIT-Delhi in collaboration with DRDO labs like DYSL-QT and SSPL, with funding from the Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management.
About Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T):
Minister of State (MoS)- Dr. Jitendra Singh (Constituency- Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir, J&K)
