The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under its Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, has signed its first high-value deep-tech project agreement with start-up Zero mK India Private Limited, Alwar, Rajasthan, for the indigenous development of a 20 mK Dilution Refrigerator for Quantum Applications.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi between the Director, TDF, and representatives of Zero mK India Private Limited. It is the first high-value project agreement under the ₹500 crore corpus approved for deep-tech and cutting-edge technology projects.
Dilution refrigerators are specialised cryogenic systems capable of achieving temperatures in the millikelvin range. Such ultra-low-temperature environments are critical for the development, operation and testing of several quantum computing platforms and other advanced quantum technologies.
The indigenous development of a 20 mK-class dilution refrigerator is aligned with the objectives of the National Quantum Mission and is expected to strengthen India’s capabilities in quantum technology, advanced cryogenics and other strategic technology domains. The project will also contribute towards reducing dependence on imported cryogenic infrastructure and strengthening the domestic quantum technology ecosystem.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the industry partner and all stakeholders associated with the project. He expressed confidence that the initiative would establish an important precedent for future DRDO-industry collaborations in emerging and deep-tech domains.
Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and Chairman, DRDO, Rajesh Kumar Singh, also congratulated the teams involved and wished them success in achieving the project’s objectives.
Senior officials, including the Director General, Micro Electronic Devices & Computational System and Cyber Security (DG MCC), Director General, Technology Management (DG TM), and Director, Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), were present on the occasion.
The project will be monitored, mentored and supported by the Director, SSPL, and his team.
