New Delhi : Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Friday said that quantum and Artificial Intelligence (AI) sovereignty, supported by strong indigenous ecosystems, will shape India’s next phase of economic growth and technological leadership.
Addressing a programme organised by the Technology Development Board at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, the Minister said India’s future in deep-tech sectors will depend on building a trusted and integrated innovation ecosystem. He said this vision led to the launch of the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund Scheme aimed at accelerating private sector participation in research and development.
During the event, agreements for five projects under the RDI Fund Scheme were signed, the first electronic fund disbursement was released, a compendium on the status of the RDI Scheme was launched and a report titled “Quantum-Safe Ecosystem in India” was unveiled.
The selected projects span strategic sectors including battery technology, satellite systems, regenerative medicine, emergency healthcare and unmanned aerial platforms.
Maharashtra-based M/s e-TRNL Energy Pvt. Ltd. signed an agreement for developing advanced lithium-ion battery cells using patented 3-Dimensional Electrode Architecture technology to strengthen India’s domestic battery manufacturing ecosystem.
Hyderabad-based M/s Dhruva Space Private Limited signed an agreement for “Project Garud,” an indigenous modular 500 kg-class satellite platform designed for scalable deployment in communication and strategic applications.
Bengaluru-based M/s Eyestem Research Private Limited signed an agreement to develop cell therapies targeting Geographic Atrophy linked to Age-related Macular Degeneration and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. As part of the first tranche release under the RDI framework, ₹50 crore was electronically transferred to the company to support commercialisation of its indigenous cell therapy platform.
Uttar Pradesh-based M/s Noccarc Robotics Pvt. Ltd. signed an agreement for developing an Intelligent Mobile Life Support System, a portable ICU-grade emergency care platform integrated with AI-assisted clinical guidance and connected healthcare capabilities.
Another Uttar Pradesh-based company, M/s Endure Air Systems Private Limited, signed an agreement for “Project Sabal-200,” an indigenous unmanned helicopter platform capable of carrying payloads exceeding 200 kilograms for logistics, surveillance and disaster response operations.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said the Government under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has adopted proactive measures to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem and create enabling mechanisms for private investment in research and development. He added that reforms in sectors such as space and deep technology have demonstrated how strategic policy support can unlock innovation and public participation.
Highlighting the importance of quantum technologies, the Minister said India is now among a select group of countries investing actively 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 of establishing 2,000-km quantum-secure communication capability in less than four years.
He also stressed the importance of preparing for future cybersecurity challenges posed by quantum computing and said post-quantum cryptography and quantum-safe infrastructure will become essential for banking, telecom, governance and strategic sectors.
Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood described the RDI Fund as a transformative initiative capable of catalysing large-scale private investment in deep-tech innovation. He said India must prepare proactively for the “Q-Day” scenario when current encryption systems could become vulnerable to quantum computing.
Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Prof. Abhay Karandikar said the RDI initiative represents one of the government’s most significant interventions to strengthen private-sector-led research and development in India.
Secretary, TDB, Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak said the initiative received 124 project proposals worth over ₹25,000 crore within a short period. He added that 22 companies selected under the RDI Fund include several startups identified through Bharat Innovates 2026, a global technology showcase scheduled to be held in Nice, France in June.
The programme concluded with discussions on strengthening India’s quantum-safe ecosystem and accelerating indigenous deep-tech innovation in line with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.