The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has entered a groundbreaking agreement with the Alwar-based startup Zero mK India Private Limited. Signed in New Delhi under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, the deal targets the indigenous design and fabrication of a dilution refrigerator capable of reaching temperatures as low as 20 millikelvin (mK). This marks the first high-value deep-tech contract drawn from the Rs 500 crore pool earmarked by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for cutting-edge projects.
Deal specifics and immediate objectives
The signing ceremony brought together the Director of the TDF, senior DRDO officials, and Zero mK’s founders. The collaboration will be monitored by the Director of the Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), ensuring rigorous mentorship throughout the development cycle. The core deliverable is a 20 mK dilution refrigerator, known in the lab as the Shunya 0X platform with an anticipated cooling power of around 300 µW at 100 mK. Zero mK aims to have a functional prototype by the fourth quarter of 2027, featuring configurable superconducting magnets, a large-diameter experimental flange, and extensive RF and DC wiring options.
Why a 20 mK refrigerator matters for quantum technology
A dilution refrigerator employs a mixture of helium-3 and helium-4 isotopes to achieve temperatures a fraction above absolute zero. Such ultra-low environments are indispensable for operating superconducting quantum processors quantum sensors, and other devices whose quantum states are extremely sensitive to thermal noise. Until now, Indian research institutions have relied on imported cryogenic systems, leaving a strategic vulnerability in the supply chain. An indigenous 20 mK unit will therefore provide a foundational laboratory tool for the nation’s National Quantum Mission which aspires to field quantum computers with 50 to 1,000 physical qubits across superconducting and photonic platforms.
Strategic impact and broader ecosystem
The partnership aligns with the broader goal of fostering a self-reliant quantum ecosystem. By producing critical cryogenic hardware domestically, India reduces dependence on foreign vendors, lowers acquisition costs, and accelerates the maturation of local expertise in advanced cryogenics. Defence Secretary and the Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D, along with DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh, praised the initiative as a template for future collaborations between the defence sector and high-tech startups. Moreover, the project serves as an early test case for the TDF’s high-value contract model, which is designed to move beyond modest research grants and enable larger, technically demanding assignments for Indian industry.
Beyond the immediate scientific benefits, the venture has ripple effects for national security and strategic autonomy. Quantum-ready infrastructure strengthens India’s capacity to develop secure communications, quantum-enhanced navigation, and next-generation sensing technologies—all critical assets for modern defence. The successful delivery of the 20 mK refrigerator could also open export opportunities, positioning India as a rare supplier of ultra-low-temperature equipment in a market dominated by a handful of overseas firms.
It not only showcases the government’s commitment to nurturing home-grown innovation but also lays down the hardware groundwork essential for the quantum revolution. As the prototype moves from design to testing, the Indian scientific community watches closely, anticipating a new era where quantum experiments can be conducted on fully indigenous platforms.
