In a strategic leap toward national security and technological self-reliance, DRDO has inaugurated India’s first Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) in Delhi. Equipped with state-of-the-art systems, the centre is set to position India as a key global player in secure communication, quantum sensing, and post-quantum cryptography.
Quantum Push for National Security and Strategic Dominance
On May 27, 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) inaugurated the Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) at Metcalfe House, Delhi. Inaugurated by Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, the centre reflects India’s commitment to building sovereign capabilities in emerging technologies critical to both defence preparedness and national innovation ecosystems.
The QTRC is tasked with leading research and development in pivotal quantum domains. It houses experimental setups capable of characterising Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs), Distributed Feedback Lasers, and single-photon sources. Additionally, the centre will test micro-fabricated alkali vapor cells and validate secure communication techniques through Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), an essential pillar of post-quantum cryptography aimed at future-proofing defence-grade communication systems.
DRDO’s Scientific Analysis Group (SAG) is leading the charge to ensure these technologies are developed indigenously, bolstering India’s resistance against next-generation cyber threats and external surveillance risks.
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Timekeeping, Magnetometry, and Material Sciences in the Quantum Age
The new centre is not limited to communications. Its capabilities extend into quantum metrology and material sciences. Led by the Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), the QTRC is developing an Ultra-Small Atomic Clock based on coherent population trapping—designed for use in GPS-denied environments, which is a critical edge in strategic military operations.
Other developments include an Atomic Magnetometer that uses optically pumped magnetometry to detect ultra-sensitive magnetic fields—useful in submarine detection, navigation, and geological surveys. The centre will also engage in advanced quantum device fabrication, paving the way for India’s indigenous ecosystem of solid-state quantum technologies.
These foundational platforms are not just technologically significant but strategically vital. By reducing dependence on foreign technologies in critical sectors, QTRC is expected to play a vital role in maintaining India’s technological independence and defence readiness.
National Quantum Mission and India’s Sovereign Tech Roadmap
The inauguration of the QTRC marks a defining moment in India’s National Quantum Mission. DRDO has emerged as a principal stakeholder in this mission, actively fostering innovation in quantum computing, post-quantum cryptography, and secure data transmission.
At the ceremony, Smt. Suma Varughese, Director General of Micro Electronic Devices, Computational Systems & Cyber Systems, underscored the vision behind QTRC and the institution’s commitment to cutting-edge defence innovation. Dr. Manu Korulla (DG, Resource & Management), and directors from SSPL and SAG, along with senior scientists, attended the event—signaling unified leadership across verticals.
India’s foray into quantum R&D comes at a time when nations across the globe are racing to dominate the quantum frontier. While countries like the US and China pour billions into quantum supremacy, India’s approach—rooted in indigenous development—is geared toward resilience, adaptability, and security in a rapidly evolving geopolitical tech race.
By launching the Quantum Technology Research Centre, DRDO has made a profound statement: India will not be left behind in the race for quantum dominance. With secure communication, timekeeping, sensing, and encryption capabilities under one roof, QTRC is not just a research hub—it is a strategic stronghold for a future where information is both power and vulnerability.