An important step forward in India’s quest for technological sovereignty and strategic security was taken on May 27, 2025, when the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) opened the Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) in Metcalfe House in Delhi.
Dr. Samir V. Kamat, the Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, officially opened the center. Its goal is to advance domestic quantum technology research and development with a particular emphasis on strategic and defense applications.
With its cutting-edge experimental facilities, QTRC is positioned as a key hub for important quantum research in India.
The facility has specialized platforms for characterizing Micro Fabricated Alkali Vapour Cells, test-beds for assessing single-photon sources, and sophisticated setups for characterizing Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) and Distributed Feedback Lasers.
The development and validation of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) techniques is one of the center’s key tasks. These techniques are necessary to enable ultra-secure communication and protect national security in the post-quantum age. The DRDO Scientific Analysis Group (SAG) is in charge of these initiatives.
Fundamental quantum technologies are another area of focus for QTRC, which is led by the Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL). Among the noteworthy projects is the creation of an Ultra-Small Atomic Clock based on Coherent Population Trapping, which is essential for accurate timekeeping in settings where GNSS signals are not permitted. Along with developing solid-state quantum devices and materials for potential defense uses, the center is also developing an Atomic Magnetometer that uses optically pumped magnetometry for ultra-sensitive magnetic field measurement.
Key DRDO leadership attended the inauguration ceremony, including Dr. Manu Korulla, DG (Resource & Management), directors and scientists from SSPL and SAG, and Suma Varughese, Director General (Micro Electronic Devices, Computational Systems & Cyber Systems), whose vision was crucial in conceptualizing the facility. The creation of QTRC by DRDO, a key player in the National Quantum Mission, demonstrates the agency’s dedication to supporting domestic innovation and creating independent quantum technologies that will safeguard India’s strategic future.
With the establishment of QTRC, DRDO will put India at the forefront of quantum research worldwide, with a focus on high-precision sensing, secure communications, and quantum-enhanced navigation—areas that are becoming more and more important for strategic operations and defense in the rapidly changing technological landscape.
