**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh reviewed the progress of the National Quantum Mission, which achieved a 1,000-km secure communication milestone within two years of its October 2024 launch. The review highlighted the expansion of startup support to 17 ventures and the traction of Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) funding. Key upcoming actions include improving transparency in R&D funding and implementing coordinated communication strategies to amplify scientific achievements.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Quantum Communication Achievements**
* Successful demonstration of a 1,000-km quantum communication network using indigenous technology developed by QNu Labs.
* The milestone was reached in less than two years, progressing toward the mission’s eight-year target of 2,000 km.
* The technology utilizes quantum key distribution (QKD) and is designed for challenging terrains, including underwater and underground networks.
**Expansion of Startup Ecosystem**
* Government support under the National Quantum Mission has expanded from 8 to 17 startups.
* Nine new deep-tech ventures joined the mission, including Sense-XT, ORVISSEMI, QuBeats, and Quantum AI Global.
* Research areas for new startups include quantum biosensors, photon sensing, positioning systems, atomic memory, and precision electronics.
**RDI Funding and Financial Instruments**
* The Technology Development Board (TDB) received over 100 proposals within two months of its funding call.
* The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is processing nearly 200 applications for biotech projects like cancer research and gene therapy.
* New financial instruments, specifically optionally convertible debt (OCD), are being utilized to support startups without immediate equity dilution.
**Strategic Policy and Oversight**
* Emphasis on "mission-mode" programming and blended financing models to strengthen deep-tech capabilities.
* Focus on emerging sectors including 6G, advanced manufacturing, space technologies, and biotechnology.
* Directive from leadership to ensure transparency, structured evaluation, and wider outreach for government-backed R&D funding.
**Impact Analysis**
**Deep-tech and Quantum Startups**
**Impact**
Startups benefit from expanded government backing and access to non-dilutive financial instruments like optionally convertible debt. The mission accelerates their ability to develop indigenous capabilities in sensing, computing, and materials.
**Action Required**
Startups must align their R&D with mission-mode objectives and participate in the structured evaluation processes for funding.
**Government Agencies (DST, TDB, BIRAC)**
**Impact**
These bodies are tasked with managing high volumes of proposals and functioning as second-level fund managers to drive innovation and scalability.
**Action Required**
Agencies must improve transparency in funding, conduct wider outreach to increase awareness, and execute coordinated communication strategies to promote India’s technological milestones.
**Strategic Sectors (Defence, Finance, and Infrastructure)**
**Impact**
These sectors gain access to enhanced secure communication capabilities and quantum-safe cybersecurity solutions to protect critical digital ecosystems.
**Action Required**
Stakeholders in these sectors should prepare for the integration of quantum communication technologies into their existing digital and physical infrastructure.
Key Entities Referenced
National Quantum Mission: A government initiative aimed at accelerating indigenous capabilities in quantum computing, communication, sensing, and materials.
Department of Science and Technology (DST): The primary department responsible for overseeing the progress and implementation of the National Quantum Mission.
Technology Development Board (TDB): A statutory body functioning as a fund manager to support industry-led research and development in deep-tech sectors.
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC): A second-level fund manager that supports innovation and bio-manufacturing applications within the biotechnology sector.
QNu Labs: A mission-supported startup that successfully demonstrated a 1,000-km quantum communication network using indigenous technology.
Ministry of Science & Technology
National Quantum Mission achieves 1,000-km
secure communication milestone in under 3
years of its launch: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Quantum Mission expands startup support to 17, backs 9
new deep-tech ventures
Deep-tech funding gains traction as TDB draws about 100
proposals, BIRAC nears 200 biotech applications
Dr. Jitendra Singh reviews progress off 'Quantum Mission',
status of RDI Funding
Posted On: 08 APR 2026 5:58PM by PIB Delhi
Under the National Quantum Mission, a 1,000-km quantum communication network—one of the longest
in the world—has been successfully demonstrated within less than two years of its launch, marking rapid
progress against the mission’s target of achieving 2,000 km over an eight-year period, Union Minister for
Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh was informed during a review of the Department of Science and
Technology (DST) here today.
The milestone, achieved using indigenous technology developed by QNu Labs—a startup supported under
the mission and focused on quantum-safe cybersecurity solutions—represents one of the longest quantum
key distribution (QKD) deployments globally since the mission’s launch in October 2024. Secretary, DST,
Dr. Abhay Karandikar described it as “a landmark advancement in secure quantum communication,”
noting that it reflects progress ahead of envisaged timelines.
The development is expected to strengthen secure communication capabilities across defence, financial
systems and critical infrastructure, while advancing India’s broader push towards a secure digital
ecosystem. The technology, officials noted, is designed to work across challenging terrains, including
underwater and underground networks, expanding its potential civilian and strategic applications.
In a parallel push to deepen the country’s quantum ecosystem, the government has expanded support
under the National Quantum Mission to nine additional startups, taking the total number of supported
ventures to 17. The move is aimed at accelerating indigenous capabilities across quantum computing,
communication, sensing and materials. The newly supported startups are working on areas ranging from
quantum biosensors for disease detection and photon sensing technologies to quantum positioning
systems, atomic memory and precision electronic systems. The newly supported startups include Sense-
XT, ORVISSEMI, QuBeats, Quantum AI Global, bloq, GDQ Labs, Quantum Biosciences, Bumble Bee
Instruments Pvt. Ltd., and SAS Qute Electronics Pvt. Ltd.The review also highlighted progress under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) funding
framework, where the Technology Development Board (TDB) and Biotechnology Industry Research
Assistance Council (BIRAC) are functioning as second-level fund managers. TDB has received over 100
proposals within two months of issuing a call, indicating growing industry interest in research and
development financing. Six companies recommended by the investment committee are being taken
forward, while additional proposals are under consideration, reflecting increasing participation in
government-supported innovation initiatives.
The biotechnology segment, supported through BIRAC, is also witnessing increased activity, with nearly
200 applications received under recent calls, including projects in cancer research, gene therapy and bio-
manufacturing.
Officials emphasized the use of new financial instruments such as optionally convertible debt (OCD),
designed to support startups without immediate equity dilution and to attract private investment alongside
public funding. The government is seeking to ensure both innovation and scalability in emerging sectors
such as 6G, advanced manufacturing, space technologies and biotechnology.
During the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the need for transparency, structured evaluation and
wider outreach to improve participation and awareness of government-backed R&D funding. He also
called for coordinated communication strategies to amplify key scientific achievements, including the
quantum milestone, and to position India’s emerging technology ecosystem more prominently.
Senior officials including DST Secretary Dr. Abhay Karandikar, TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak and
BIRAC Managing Director Dr. Jitendra Kumar were present at the review.
The developments come amid a broader policy push to strengthen India’s deep-tech capabilities through
mission-mode programmers, blended financing models and startup support frameworks, with quantum
technologies emerging as a key strategic frontier alongside biotechnology and advanced communications.*****NKR/FT
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