India has taken a significant step toward strengthening its quantum technology capabilities, with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signing its first high-value deep-tech project agreement under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme with Zero mK India Private Limited, an Alwar-based startup in Rajasthan.
The Director of TDF and representatives of Zero mK India signed the agreement in New Delhi to jointly develop an indigenous 20 millikelvin (mK)-class dilution refrigerator for quantum technology applications.
The project represents the first high-value agreement under the Rs 500-crore corpus approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to accelerate the development of deep-tech and other cutting-edge technologies in India.
Through the initiative, DRDO aims to strengthen India’s capabilities in strategic and emerging technologies by expanding collaboration between the defence sector and private industry.
Dilution refrigerators are specialised cryogenic systems that create ultra-low temperatures in the millikelvin range. Quantum computing platforms and several other advanced quantum technologies require these extremely cold environments for operation, testing and development.
The indigenous development of a 20 mK dilution refrigerator supports the objectives of the National Quantum Mission and could strengthen India’s expertise in quantum computing, advanced cryogenics and other strategic research fields.
The project also aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported cryogenic infrastructure. Developing the technology domestically could help build a stronger and more self-reliant quantum technology ecosystem while supporting applications across scientific research and advanced defence technologies.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the industry partner and other stakeholders involved in the project. He said the collaboration could provide a model for future partnerships between DRDO and private industry in emerging technology areas.
Defence Secretary, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh also congratulated the teams and wished them success in achieving the project’s objectives.
Senior officials, including the Director General of Micro Electronic Devices & Computational Systems and Cyber Security (DG MCC), Director General of Technology Management (DG TM), Director of the Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL) and other stakeholders, attended the signing ceremony in New Delhi.