QNu Labs Secures ₹150 Crore Govt Support to Develop Indigenous Quantum Security and Sensing Technologies

India’s efforts to develop indigenous quantum technologies have received a major boost with the Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), signing an agreement with Bengaluru-based QNu Labs Private Limited for ₹150 crore in financial support under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.

Announced on October 16, 2026, the agreement supports a ₹300 crore project to develop India’s Quantum Secure and Sensing Networks (IQSN), integrating advanced capabilities in secure communications, device authentication, navigation integrity and precision timing.

The programme aims to establish a sovereign quantum-security and sensing technology stack, reducing dependence on external technologies while strengthening the security and resilience of India’s critical digital infrastructure.

₹300 Crore Project to Advance Indigenous Quantum Technologies

The project will receive ₹150 crore in government financial support through Optionally Convertible Debt (OCD) under the RDI Fund. This financing mechanism provides support for technology development while allowing the debt to be converted into equity under specified conditions.

QNu Labs will undertake the development, engineering refinement, integration and validation of technologies currently at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4–5, with the objective of advancing them towards TRL-9, representing systems proven in operational environments.

Reaching this level requires the transition from laboratory demonstrations and early-stage prototypes to integrated, reliable and deployable technology platforms.

The programme will establish an indigenous technology backbone for India’s Quantum Secure and Sensing Networks, bringing together complementary quantum-security, sensing and timing capabilities within a unified framework.

Its development strategy focuses on four interconnected technological pillars: identity security, location integrity, network security and time integrity.

Quantum-Secure Device Identity and Authentication

The first pillar focuses on strengthening hardware-level security through quantum-secure Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) and quantum-safe Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs).

Physical Unclonable Functions use inherent microscopic variations in hardware to generate distinctive device identities. These characteristics can support authentication and make device identity replication more difficult.

Trusted Platform Modules provide hardware-based security functions, including cryptographic key protection, device authentication and secure system operations.

By advancing these technologies, QNu Labs aims to develop indigenous solutions that establish trust directly within electronic devices and connected infrastructure.

Such capabilities have applications in defence electronics, telecommunications equipment, industrial control systems, financial infrastructure and other environments where reliable device identification and authentication are essential.

Quantum Magnetometers for Secure Navigation and Location Integrity

The second pillar addresses the growing importance of reliable navigation and positioning systems, particularly in environments exposed to electronic interference, manipulation and satellite-navigation disruptions.

QNu Labs plans to develop compact quantum magnetometers capable of supporting electromagnetic tampering detection and advanced sensing applications.

Quantum magnetometers use quantum phenomena to measure magnetic fields with high sensitivity. Their development can support new approaches to detecting environmental changes and identifying interference affecting sensitive systems.

The programme also includes technologies intended to support navigation in GPS-denied environments, where satellite-based positioning signals are unavailable, unreliable or deliberately disrupted.

These capabilities are relevant to defence platforms, autonomous systems and mission-critical infrastructure that require dependable positioning and navigation.

Integrating quantum sensing with trusted navigation technologies will contribute to the development of indigenous systems designed to improve location integrity and operational resilience.

Chip-Based and Satellite Quantum Key Distribution

The third pillar focuses on developing a comprehensive quantum-secure communications ecosystem through advanced Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technologies.

QKD uses principles of quantum physics to enable communicating parties to establish shared cryptographic keys while detecting certain forms of interception during key exchange.

Under the proposed programme, QNu Labs will advance chip-based QKD, satellite-based QKD, quantum-secure communication modules and encryption systems.

Chip-based QKD seeks to support the miniaturisation and integration of quantum communication components into compact hardware platforms, creating opportunities for more practical deployment across communication infrastructure.

Satellite-based QKD offers a potential pathway for establishing quantum-secure key distribution over long distances, complementing terrestrial communication networks.

The development of supporting encryption systems and communication modules will help integrate these capabilities into operational security architectures.

Together, these technologies are intended to strengthen the confidentiality and security of communications across defence networks, telecommunications systems, financial institutions and critical national infrastructure.

Indigenous Atomic Clocks and Secure Time Synchronisation

The fourth pillar concentrates on developing indigenous high-precision timing infrastructure, including atomic clock technology and secure time distribution systems.

Atomic clocks use the stable frequencies associated with atomic transitions to provide highly accurate time measurements. Their precision makes them valuable for applications that depend on reliable timing and synchronisation.

Modern telecommunications, financial transaction systems, navigation networks and critical infrastructure require accurate time references to coordinate operations across distributed systems.

The QNu Labs programme will advance atomic clock technologies alongside QKD-authenticated time distribution, which aims to strengthen the authenticity and integrity of time synchronisation across connected networks.

These capabilities can help protect timing infrastructure against manipulation and support the development of dependable indigenous alternatives for sensitive applications.

Combining precise timing with secure authentication will contribute to the programme’s broader objective of establishing trusted digital and physical infrastructure.

Integrated Quantum Trust Framework for Critical Infrastructure

A distinguishing feature of the ₹300 crore programme is its integrated approach to quantum security and sensing.

Rather than treating device authentication, navigation, communications and timing as separate technological challenges, the project aims to bring these capabilities together within a common security framework.

Hardware-based identity mechanisms will support trusted devices, while quantum sensing technologies will contribute to location integrity. Quantum-secure communication systems will protect key distribution and data exchanges, and precision timing technologies will support reliable synchronisation.

This approach is intended to establish a unified foundation for India’s Quantum Secure and Sensing Networks.

The resulting technology stack could support multiple sectors, including defence, telecommunications, banking, digital infrastructure and industrial systems, where secure communication and dependable operational data are increasingly important.

The programme also incorporates research in artificial intelligence alongside quantum sensing and security technologies, reflecting QNu Labs’ plans to expand its existing quantum-security capabilities.

RDI Fund Supports Advanced Technology Development

The agreement forms part of the government’s efforts to strengthen India’s research, development and innovation ecosystem through financial support for advanced technologies.

The RDI Fund is intended to help enterprises undertake research-intensive projects, advance indigenous technologies and bridge the gap between scientific innovation and commercial deployment.

Quantum technologies frequently require sustained investment because their development involves specialised equipment, complex engineering, system integration and rigorous validation.

Support through the RDI framework will enable QNu Labs to advance its technology portfolio towards higher readiness levels while strengthening domestic capabilities across several strategically important sectors.

Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, Technology Development Board, highlighted the importance of building indigenous capabilities in cybersecurity, communications, navigation and critical infrastructure.

He emphasised that government support for advanced technologies would help strengthen India’s technological self-reliance and enable research-driven innovations to mature into integrated, deployable systems.

QNu Labs to Expand Collaboration with India’s Quantum Ecosystem

QNu Labs has identified collaboration with academic institutions, startups and industry partners as an important component of the programme.

The company intends to extend its quantum-security research into chip-based and satellite-based quantum key distribution, quantum sensing and artificial intelligence.

Its development roadmap will focus on creating practical solutions for defence, telecommunications, financial services and critical infrastructure applications.

The company’s founder described the partnership with TDB as an opportunity to accelerate indigenous technology development across device identity, location integrity, network security and time integrity.

The programme also aims to strengthen India’s broader quantum ecosystem by encouraging research collaboration, technology integration and the development of domestic expertise.

Strengthening India’s Quantum Technology Self-Reliance

The ₹150 crore RDI support agreement represents an important step towards building an indigenous quantum-security and sensing infrastructure capable of meeting India’s evolving technological requirements.

By targeting TRL-9 across a portfolio of interconnected technologies, the QNu Labs programme seeks to advance quantum innovations from research and prototype development towards operational deployment.

The integration of secure device authentication, trusted navigation, quantum communications and precision timing will contribute to India’s efforts to strengthen critical infrastructure security and develop sovereign technological capabilities.

The partnership between TDB and QNu Labs also demonstrates the growing role of government-supported research and private-sector innovation in advancing India’s high-technology industries.

With a total project investment of ₹300 crore, the initiative is positioned to strengthen India’s domestic quantum technology ecosystem, support advanced engineering capabilities and accelerate the development of indigenous solutions for strategically important applications.

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References

1. Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India — TDB-DST Signs Agreement with QNu Labs for ₹150 Crore RDI Support to Strengthen India’s Indigenous Quantum-Secure Technology Ecosystem, Press Information Bureau, October 16, 2026.
2. Technology Development Board, Department of Science and Technology — Official Website and RDI Funding Programmes.

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