The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed its first high-value deep-tech project agreement with a startup, Zero mK India Private Limited. The deal covers indigenous development of a 20 millikelvin dilution refrigerator for quantum applications.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi. It was signed between the Director of the Technology Development Fund (TDF) and Zero mK India, a startup based in Alwar, Rajasthan. The Ministry of Defence announced the deal on September 24, 2026.
This is the first high-value award under the Rs 500 crore TDF corpus. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had approved that corpus for deep-tech and cutting-edge projects.
A dilution refrigerator is a cryogenic system that reaches temperatures in the millikelvin range. That ultra-cold environment is needed to run and test quantum computing platforms. Most such equipment is imported today.
The Ministry of Defence said the 20 mK-class system aligns with the National Quantum Mission. It should cut India’s dependence on imported cryogenic infrastructure. It also strengthens the domestic quantum technology ecosystem, the ministry said.
DRDO’s Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL) will monitor and mentor the project. The SSPL Director and his team will support Zero mK India through development.
Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, the industry partner and all stakeholders. He said the partnership will set a precedent for future DRDO and industry work in emerging technology. Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh also congratulated the teams.
What this means for you: A startup can now win DRDO’s largest deep-tech grants, so deep-tech founders should track the next TDF calls for cutting-edge projects.
Have a tip? Write to us at editorial@startupfeed.in.
Liked this story? Follow StartupFeed on Google so our reporting reaches you first.
