India has witnessed a flurry of significant developments in its science and technology landscape over the last 24 hours, with quantum technology taking center stage. These advancements underscore the nation's growing prowess and commitment to innovation, particularly under initiatives like the National Quantum Mission (NQM) and the Emerging Science Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025).
Indigenous Quantum Diamond Microscope Unveiled
In a major scientific breakthrough, the P-Quest Group at IIT Bombay, under the aegis of the National Quantum Mission (NQM) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has developed India's first indigenous Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM). This advanced instrument is designed for dynamic magnetic field imaging and marks a significant milestone in the field of quantum sensing. Announced during the ESTIC 2025, the QDM enables three-dimensional magnetic field imaging at the nanoscale, offering widefield visualization of dynamic magnetic activity similar to an optical microscope. Its potential applications are vast, spanning neuroscience, materials research, and non-destructive testing of semiconductor chips, where it can map buried current paths and multilayer structures in 3D. The innovation has also secured India's first patent in quantum diamond microscopy, reinforcing the country's capabilities in indigenous quantum technologies and next-generation imaging systems.
Quantum Computing and Secure Communication Advancements
Further solidifying India's position in quantum technology, two Bengaluru-based startups, supported by the I-Hub Quantum Technology Foundation (QTF) at IISER Pune, announced significant developments. QpiAI has successfully built a 64-qubit quantum processor named "Kaveri 64," while QNu Labs has developed India's first large-scale quantum key distribution (QKD) network. These milestones, also revealed at ESTIC 2025, are set to accelerate complex problem-solving and enhance the security of digital communication in India. The Kaveri 64 processor, utilizing quantum physics principles, is expected to be commercially available by late 2026, offering immense computational power for fields such as drug discovery, cryptography, climate modeling, and machine learning.
Deepening Ocean Technology Cooperation and Green Hydrogen Push
India is also expanding its international collaborations and domestic initiatives in other critical scientific areas. Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh called for enhanced cooperation between India and Mauritius in emerging areas like fisheries, ocean technologies, and desalination. He emphasized India's vast experience in marine resource management and ocean-based technologies as pivotal for Mauritius's development goals and encouraged collaborative projects in the blue economy and marine research. Domestically, Dr. Singh highlighted India's crucial role in the global transition to a self-reliant hydrogen economy. He announced the development of four "Hydrogen Valleys" across the country, with a total investment of ā¹485 crore, to demonstrate the full hydrogen value chain from production to utilization under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
ISRO's Gaganyaan Mission and Sustainable Infrastructure
In space technology, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully completed a key test on the main parachutes for its Gaganyaan Crew Module on November 3rd, with reports emerging on November 12th. This test, conducted at the Babina Field Firing Range in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, is part of a series of Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Tests (IMAT) crucial for the human spaceflight mission. Furthermore, IIT-Manipur and GSH India Private Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on sustainable facility management solutions, IoT, and smart building systems. This partnership, forged at the Sustainable Energy Forum 2025, aims to bridge the industry-academia gap through joint research, internships, and skill development programs.