India’s Quantum and AI Sovereignty Will Drive Next-Generation Growth, Says Jitendra Singh

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, has said that India’s future growth in deep-tech sectors will be shaped by quantum technology leadership, artificial intelligence (AI) sovereignty, and the development of strong indigenous innovation ecosystems.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, the Minister highlighted India’s growing push toward innovation-led economic transformation through coordinated investments in quantum technologies, advanced manufacturing, AI, biotechnology, space technology, and strategic deep-tech sectors.

Government Launches RDI Fund to Accelerate Innovation

Dr Jitendra Singh said India’s long-term technological and economic competitiveness will depend on adopting what he described as a “trusted integrated approach” toward innovation and research.

He explained that this vision led to the launch of the “Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund” Scheme, aimed at increasing private-sector participation in research and development activities.

According to the Minister, the Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has adopted several “out-of-the-box” policy approaches to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem and encourage private investment in advanced technologies.

Unlike conventional innovation models where governments wait for industry-led participation, Singh said India is proactively building institutional and financial mechanisms to support private-sector-driven research and commercialization.

Agreements Signed for Five Major Deep-Tech Projects

During the programme, agreements were signed for five major projects under the RDI Fund Scheme.

The event also included:

• The first electronic fund disbursement under the scheme

• Launch of a compendium on the status of the RDI Scheme

• Release of a report titled “Quantum-Safe Ecosystem in India”

The selected projects span multiple strategic sectors including:

• Advanced batteries

• Space technology

• Regenerative medicine

• Healthcare innovation

• Autonomous systems

Indigenous Lithium-Ion Battery Technology Project

M/s e-TRNL Energy Pvt. Ltd., Maharashtra signed an agreement to develop advanced lithium-ion battery cells using its patented “3-Dimensional Electrode Architecture” (3DEA) technology.

The project aims to improve:

• Materials processing

• Cell architecture

• Automated manufacturing systems

• Cost-efficient battery production

Officials said the initiative could significantly strengthen India’s domestic battery manufacturing ecosystem and support the country’s clean energy transition.

Dhruva Space Launches “Project Garud”

Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space Private Limited signed an agreement for “Project Garud,” an indigenous modular satellite platform designed for scalable production and constellation deployment.

The 500 kg-class satellite system is designed to support:

• Communication networks

• Strategic applications

• Commercial services

• Scientific missions

The platform focuses on flat-pack modular satellite technology aimed at enhancing India’s capability in resilient and scalable space infrastructure.

Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Innovation

Bengaluru-based Eyestem Research Private Limited signed an agreement for the development of first-in-class cell therapies targeting:

• Geographic Atrophy linked to Age-related Macular Degeneration

• Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Officials described the project as a major advancement in indigenous regenerative medicine and cell therapy platforms aimed at addressing diseases currently considered incurable.

Portable ICU System for Indian Conditions

Noccarc Robotics Pvt. Ltd., Uttar Pradesh signed an agreement for the development of the “Intelligent Mobile Life Support System” (iMLSS).

The portable ICU-grade emergency platform is specifically designed for Indian healthcare conditions and integrates:

• Advanced ventilator support

• Patient monitoring

• AI-assisted clinical guidance

• Multilingual voice support

• Connected healthcare capabilities

The project aims to strengthen emergency and rural healthcare delivery across India.

Indigenous Heavy-Lift Unmanned Helicopter Project

Endure Air Systems Private Limited, Noida signed an agreement for “Project Sabal-200,” an indigenous unmanned helicopter capable of carrying payloads exceeding 200 kilograms.

The platform is designed for:

• High-altitude operations

• Logistics

• Disaster response

• Surveillance

• Strategic applications

Officials said the project would enhance India’s indigenous capabilities in advanced unmanned aviation systems.

First RDI Fund Disbursement Released

Marking a major milestone under the RDI framework, the Technology Development Board completed the first electronic fund disbursement under the scheme.

An initial tranche of ₹50 crore was electronically transferred to Eyestem Research Private Limited to support the advancement and commercialization of its indigenous cell therapy platform.

Officials said the funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to accelerating research commercialization and innovation scaling.

Compendium Highlights India’s Growing Innovation Ecosystem

During the event, officials also released a “Compendium on the Status Report of Technology Development Board (TDB) as the Second Level Fund Manager (SLFM) under RDI Scheme till April 2026.”

The publication outlines:

• Project proposals received

• Sector-wise distribution

• Funding trends

• Project evaluation mechanisms

• Approved projects

• Commercialization efforts

The report highlights projects across sectors including:

• Deep-tech

• Biotechnology

• Artificial intelligence

• Space technologies

• Healthcare

• Energy transition

• Climate technologies

• Digital infrastructure

Officials said the publication reflects growing momentum in India’s research-to-commercialization ecosystem.

Quantum Technologies Central to India’s Future

Dr. Jitendra Singh strongly emphasized the importance of quantum technologies in India’s long-term strategic and economic future.

He said India is now among a select group of countries actively investing in:

• Quantum communication

• Quantum computing

• Quantum sensing

• Quantum materials

under the National Quantum Mission.

According to the Minister, India had originally set a target of achieving 2,000 km of quantum-secure communication capability within eight years.

However, he noted that nearly half of that target has already been achieved in less than four years.

Need for Quantum-Safe Cybersecurity Infrastructure

The Minister warned that emerging quantum computing technologies could eventually threaten current cryptographic systems used in:

• Banking

• Governance

• Telecommunications

• Strategic infrastructure

He stressed the importance of preparing for future cybersecurity challenges through:

• Post-quantum cryptography

• Quantum key distribution

• Quantum-safe infrastructure

Singh said these technologies will become essential for trusted digital governance and long-term national security.

Experts Warn About “Q-Day” Risks

Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, described the RDI Fund as a potentially transformative initiative capable of catalyzing large-scale private investment in deep-tech innovation.

Referring to the newly released “Quantum-Safe Ecosystem in India” report, he warned about the future “Q-Day” scenario — the point at which quantum computing could render current encryption systems vulnerable.

He emphasized the need for proactive national preparedness in:

• Post-quantum cryptography

• Secure communication systems

• Digital infrastructure protection

particularly across sectors like finance, healthcare, and governance.

RDI Initiative Attracts Strong Industry Interest

Secretary, TDB, Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak highlighted the rapid operationalization of the RDI initiative.

He revealed that:

• 124 project proposals were received within a short period

• Proposed project demand exceeded ₹25,000 crore

The selected projects include startups, MSMEs, and listed companies working across multiple high-technology sectors.

Pathak also noted that 15 of the selected startups were chosen through a nationwide search as part of “Bharat Innovates 2026,” a global showcase of India’s technology innovation scheduled to be held in Nice, France in June 2026.

Strengthening India’s Deep-Tech Ecosystem

Secretary, Department of Science & Technology and Chairperson, TDB, Prof. Abhay Karandikar described the RDI initiative as one of the Government’s most significant interventions supporting private-sector-led R&D in India.

He said the initiative involved extensive collaboration between:

• Scientific institutions

• Industry stakeholders

• Investment committees

• Technical experts

Karandikar expressed confidence that the RDI framework would help attract private investment, strengthen deep-tech innovation, and support globally competitive startups.

Supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047

The programme concluded with renewed emphasis on accelerating India’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem in line with the national visions of:

• Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India)

• Viksit Bharat 2047 (Developed India by 2047)

Officials said the RDI initiative represents a major step toward positioning India as a global leader in advanced technology, strategic innovation, and indigenous research commercialization.

The event was attended by senior government officials, scientific advisers, TDB Board members, industry leaders, startup founders, and representatives from research institutions.