NEW DELHI: India is stepping up efforts to strengthen its position in quantum technology, with the government working on the next phase of its national cyber-physical systems programme and encouraging greater industry participation in advanced research and development.

Umesh V. Waghmare, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), said India has the potential to emerge as a leading quantum technology player among countries of the Global South. The government is also developing a proposal for the second phase of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), which could integrate physical artificial intelligence (AI) into its framework.

The first phase of NM-ICPS is scheduled to conclude in December 2027. According to Waghmare, the proposed second phase is under development, with its priorities and technology targets expected to depend on the products and applications demonstrated over the coming year. The proposed funding is expected to be comparable to the allocation for the earlier phase, although the final details are yet to be determined.

National Quantum Mission advances secure communications

India's quantum technology push is being driven by the National Quantum Mission (NQM), approved by the Union Cabinet in April 2023 with an allocation of Rs. 6,003.65 crore for the 2023–24 to 2030–31 period.

Waghmare said the mission has recorded progress in several areas, particularly quantum communication. A key milestone has been the demonstration of a 1,000-kilometre quantum communication network using an indigenous Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system developed by Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup QNu Labs.

India is now working towards demonstrating a 2,000-kilometre quantum communication network, which could further strengthen its capabilities in secure information transmission.

The government is also supporting the development of quantum-resilient encryption and post-quantum cryptography (PQC). These technologies are intended to protect critical databases and sensitive digital infrastructure against the potential security risks posed by increasingly powerful quantum computers.

Focus shifts from research to commercial applications

Alongside scientific breakthroughs, the DST is placing greater emphasis on translating research into commercially viable technologies. The objective is to move beyond laboratory demonstrations and develop products that can be manufactured, deployed and marketed in domestic and international markets.

Waghmare highlighted the importance of private-sector investment in scaling up deep-tech innovations, noting that industry participation would be essential to convert research outcomes into globally competitive products.

The proposed Research and Development Innovation Fund (RDIF), with a Rs. 1 lakh-crore corpus structured to provide long-term financing through loans or equity, is expected to support this broader effort to strengthen India's innovation ecosystem.

India targets higher R&D investment

India's research and development expenditure increased by around 85%, rising from Rs. 1.33 lakh crore in 2019–20 to Rs. 2.45 lakh crore in 2023–24, according to figures cited in the report.

The country aims to increase R&D spending to 2% of gross domestic product by 2035. Achieving this target would require sustained investment from both the government and private industry, alongside stronger collaboration between research institutions, startups and businesses.

With quantum communication, advanced computing, secure encryption and cyber-physical systems emerging as strategic technology priorities, India is seeking to build domestic capabilities while creating an ecosystem that can support innovation at scale.

The success of these initiatives will depend not only on research progress and public funding but also on the ability to turn scientific advances into practical applications and internationally competitive technologies.