The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed its first high-value deep-tech project agreement with an Indian start-up under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme. The project will focus on the indigenous development of a 20 millikelvin (20 mK) dilution refrigerator for quantum applications.

DRDO has signed the agreement with Zero mK India Private Limited, an Alwar-based start-up in Rajasthan. DRDO Director and representatives from TDF signed the agreement in New Delhi. The project marks a major step towards developing advanced cryogenic systems and strengthening India’s capabilities in quantum technologies.

The project is the first high-value deep-tech agreement under the ₹500 crore TDF corpus approved earlier by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The corpus aims to support the development of deep-tech and cutting-edge technologies through greater collaboration between DRDO and Indian industry.

The TDF scheme encourages Indian companies and start-ups to develop indigenous technologies with potential defence and strategic applications. The latest project brings this approach into the field of advanced cryogenics and quantum computing.

A dilution refrigerator is a specialised cryogenic system used to achieve extremely low temperatures in the millikelvin range. Such temperatures are required for operating and testing several quantum computing systems and other quantum technologies. The project will develop a 20 mK-class system within India, creating critical infrastructure for advanced quantum applications.

Indigenous development of this technology can reduce dependence on imported cryogenic equipment. It can also support Indian companies and research institutions working on quantum technologies and help expand the country’s deep-tech ecosystem.

The project is aligned with the objectives of the National Quantum Mission. It will support the development of advanced cryogenic technology, quantum computing infrastructure and indigenous capabilities in quantum technologies. It will also encourage deep-tech innovation, strategic technology development and domestic manufacturing.

The agreement also highlights the growing role of start-ups in developing advanced technologies for strategic applications. Through the TDF scheme, DRDO works with Indian industry to develop technologies that can strengthen domestic capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign systems.

Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, Zero mK India and all stakeholders involved in the project. He expressed confidence that the partnership would establish an important precedent for future DRDO-industry collaborations in emerging technology 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 objectives of the project.

Senior DRDO officials and stakeholders attended the signing ceremony. They included 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).

SSPL Director and his team are monitoring, mentoring and supporting the project. The initiative is expected to build specialised cryogenic infrastructure for quantum applications and strengthen cooperation between DRDO and India’s emerging deep-tech industry.