IIT Madras licenses silicon QRNG to Indrarka for ₹1 crore

In a landmark move for India’s quantum tech ecosystem, IIT Madras has licensed its indigenously developed Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) to Indrarka Quantum Technologies Pvt. Ltd. in a deal valued at ₹1 crore. The agreement marks a critical step in turning academic breakthroughs into market-ready security tech, reinforcing the nation’s push toward self-reliance in strategic technologies and supporting the broader Make in India narrative.

What’s special about this QRNG

• Silicon photonics, at scale. This isn’t your lab-bound gadget. IIT Madras built the device on a silicon chip using photonic components, which means it can be manufactured at scale, potentially reducing cost and footprint compared with traditional quantum lab setups.
• Speed and practicality. The device is described as a high-speed QRNG capable of producing truly random numbers, a cornerstone of modern secure cryptography. Unlike classical generators, which can be pseudo-random and show patterns under enough scrutiny, quantum randomness is fundamentally non-deterministic.
• Origin and home base. The QRNG was developed at IIT Madras’s Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems (CPPICS), underscoring the university’s role as a pivot point for industry-ready quantum innovation.

Why true randomness matters

In the AI and security landscape, unpredictable randomness is the bedrock of cryptographic keys, secure communications, and trusted authentication. As AI models grow in sophistication, adversaries may exploit patterns in traditional algorithms. QRNGs, leveraging quantum phenomena, offer a future-proof defense against such threats, including those that quantum computers might pose to existing encryption schemes.

• Key applications. Encryption key generation, password management, secure communications, and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) stand to gain from a scalable, domestically produced QRNG.
• Broader impact. Beyond defense IT security and financial transactions, QRNGs can underpin secure blockchain protocols and other critical digital infrastructure.

From lab to market: a strategic technology transfer

The IIT Madras device has already moved through pilot stages with proven effectiveness. A prototype was delivered to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), while an advanced version has been deployed at the Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS) in Chennai for real-world quantum security applications. This kind of transfer—academic invention becoming a marketable product—speaks to a growing Indian quantum ecosystem that blends research with practical deployment.

The licensing deal with Indrarka Quantum Technologies, valued at ₹1 crore, isn’t just a financial exchange. It’s a deliberate step toward commercializing a field-deployable, indigenous solution. Dinanath Soni, Director of Indrarka Quantum Technologies, said the company is committed to making this technology accessible across critical sectors and aims to position India as a global leader in quantum security. The collaboration also drew praise from government officials, including the Secretary of MeitY, who described the indigenously developed QRNG module as a “pride for India.”

Implications for India’s quantum ambitions

• National autonomy. The deal aligns with government calls for “Make in India” and a broader push to reduce dependence on foreign supply chains for strategic tech.
• Security resilience. As cyber threats evolve, having domestically produced quantum security components can help harden critical sectors—from defense IT to financial networks—against emerging vulnerabilities.
• Ecosystem momentum. IIT Madras’s CPPICS and similar initiatives are creating a pipeline that moves ideas from the lab bench into production lines and service delivery, fueling startups and attracting industry partners.

What’s next

India’s quantum security landscape is still maturing, but deals like this illustrate a clear pathway: strong academic research, supported by national programs, translating into market-ready solutions with a domestic supply chain. The QRNG licensed to Indrarka could serve as a foundational block for broader quantum-secured infrastructure, including QKD networks and quantum-safe cryptographic protocols. As more universities and companies collaborate, the Indian quantum ecosystem is poised to accelerate the deployment of secure, indigenous technologies across government and industry.

Timeline and future outlook. While details on production timelines weren’t disclosed, the move signals a structured route to scaling up manufacturing and distribution. The MeitY-backed momentum around indigenous quantum hardware is likely to attract further partnerships and investment, reinforcing India’s bid to be at the forefront of quantum innovation.

Note on sources and context. This article synthesizes information reported around IIT Madras’s QRNG licensing and related development work, including device trials with DRDO and SETS, and government commentary on the Make in India initiative.