Quantum and AI sovereignty to define India next generation growth says Jitendra Singh
NEW DELHI, May 16, 2026 :- Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh announced that quantum and Artificial Intelligence sovereignty, alongside indigenous ecosystems, will define India’s next-generation growth.
Speaking at a Technology Development Board programme at the Ambedkar International Centre, he emphasized that future progress in deep-tech sectors relies heavily on a trusted, integrated approach. To accelerate private sector participation in research and development, the government has launched the Research, Development and Innovation Fund Scheme, moving the nation toward an innovation-driven growth phase through coordinated efforts in quantum technologies, deep-tech financing, and industry-led research.
During the event, agreements for five high-impact projects under the RDI Fund Scheme were signed, and the first electronic fund disbursement of ₹50 crore was released to Eyestem Research for advancing indigenous cell therapy platforms.
Other signed projects include advanced lithium-ion battery manufacturing by e-TRNL Energy, a modular satellite platform by Dhruva Space, an intelligent mobile life support system by Noccarc Robotics, and an unmanned helicopter platform by Endure Air Systems.
Additionally, a compendium detailing the board’s progress till April 2026 and a report titled “Quantum-Safe Ecosystem in India” were formally released.Jitendra Singh noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has adopted proactive, out-of-the-box institutional and financial mechanisms to encourage startups, MSMEs, and larger industries to become long-term innovation partners.
Highlighting achievements under the National Quantum Mission, the Minister stated that India has already reached nearly half of its eight-year target of achieving a 2,000 km quantum-secure communication capability in less than four years.
He warned that emerging quantum computing capabilities could challenge existing cryptographic systems in banking, telecom, and governance, making post-quantum cryptography and quantum-safe infrastructure critical for long-term national security.
Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood described the RDI Fund as a transformative initiative capable of catalyzing large-scale private investment in deep-tech. He urged national preparedness for the upcoming “Q-Day” scenario, where current encryption systems could become vulnerable to quantum computing.
Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology Abhay Karandikar and Technology Development Board Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak further highlighted that the initiative has already received 124 project proposals representing over ₹25,000 crore in demand.
Out of the 22 companies selected for funding, 15 have been chosen to represent the country at the Bharat Innovates 2026 global showcase in France this June, reinforcing India’s commitment to building a globally competitive, self-reliant technology ecosystem.