Quantum and AI Sovereignty to Shape India’s Next-Generation Growth: Dr Jitendra Singh
New Delhi, May 16: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday stated that quantum technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) sovereignty, and indigenous innovation ecosystems will play a decisive role in shaping India’s next phase of economic and technological growth.
Addressing a programme organised by the Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science & Technology at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, the Minister said India’s future in deep-tech sectors will depend on adopting a trusted and integrated innovation approach.
During the event, agreements were signed for five major projects under the “Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund” scheme, aimed at boosting private sector participation in research and development. The programme also witnessed the release of the first electronic fund disbursement under the initiative, along with the launch of a status report compendium and a report titled “Quantum-Safe Ecosystem in India.”
Among the projects approved under the RDI initiative were advanced lithium-ion battery technology by e-TRNL Energy Pvt. Ltd., indigenous modular satellite systems by Dhruva Space Private Limited, regenerative cell therapy research by Eyestem Research Private Limited, portable ICU-grade emergency healthcare systems by Noccarc Robotics Pvt. Ltd., and an indigenous unmanned helicopter platform by Endure Air Systems Private Limited.
The government also released ₹50 crore as the first tranche of funding to Eyestem Research Private Limited for advancing indigenous cell therapy platforms.
Highlighting the strategic importance of emerging technologies, Dr Singh said India is now among a select group of nations actively investing in quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum materials under the National Quantum Mission. He noted that India has already achieved nearly half of its target for 2,000 km quantum-secure communication capability in less than four years.
The Minister also stressed the growing importance of post-quantum cryptography and quantum-safe infrastructure, warning that future quantum computing capabilities could pose challenges to existing cybersecurity systems used in banking, telecom, governance, and strategic sectors.
Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Ajay Kumar Sood, described the RDI Fund as a transformative initiative capable of accelerating large-scale private investment in deep-tech innovation. He emphasised the need for India to prepare for the “Q-Day” scenario, when current encryption systems could become vulnerable to quantum computing.
Senior officials including Abhay Karandikar and Rajesh Kumar Pathak also highlighted the rapid operationalisation of the RDI initiative and its potential to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem, startups, and deep-tech industries.
The event concluded with discussions on strengthening India’s quantum-safe ecosystem and accelerating indigenous innovation in line with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.
