India has taken a major step toward technological self-reliance with the recent dedication of three groundbreaking indigenous innovations by the Prime Minister at the Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025. These projects, developed across quantum technology and advanced cancer therapy, highlight the growing strength of India’s deep-tech ecosystem and the success of government support for startups and research institutions. Together, they signal a future where innovation will drive both national security and public health.
Securing the Digital Frontier with Quantum Technology
Two of the three innovations come from the fast-evolving field of quantum computing, a technology that holds immense promise for the future of computation and cybersecurity.
One of these, the Quantum-Secured Digital Infrastructure Package (QSIP), has been developed by the Bengaluru-based startup QNu Labs. This system strengthens India’s critical digital networks through quantum-certified randomness—a process that generates truly unpredictable numbers using quantum mechanics. Such randomness is essential for creating encryption systems that are virtually impossible to hack.
By using QSIP, India can safeguard sensitive data against current cyber threats and prepare for the even greater risks posed by future quantum attacks. In an age where data security is as important as defense on the battlefield, this innovation marks a vital step in protecting the nation’s digital sovereignty.
The second milestone is India’s first 25-qubit quantum computing chip, developed by the startup QpiAI. This chip is part of QpiAI-Indus, the nation’s first full-stack quantum computer. Built with 25 superconducting qubits—the fundamental units of quantum computation—this machine can solve problems far beyond the reach of classical computers.
Its potential applications extend across industries such as pharmaceuticals, where it can speed up drug discovery, to materials science and advanced manufacturing, where it can optimize complex designs and production processes. With this achievement, India joins a select group of countries racing toward quantum supremacy and establishes itself as a serious contender in the global tech landscape.
Revolutionizing Cancer Care with NexCAR19
The third innovation represents a historic moment in Indian medicine. NexCAR19, developed by ImmunoACT, a startup from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, is the nation’s first indigenously produced CAR-T cell therapy. This “living drug” uses a patient’s own immune cells, genetically modified to identify and attack cancer cells.
More than 500 patients have already received NexCAR19, which has been celebrated for making advanced gene therapy both affordable and accessible. Unlike traditional treatments that can cost crores of rupees abroad, this therapy brings cutting-edge cancer care within reach for many Indian families, without compromising safety or effectiveness.
The development of NexCAR19 was made possible through the BioNest initiative of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and incubation at SINE, the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at IIT Bombay. This collaborative framework shows how targeted government support, academic excellence, and startup innovation can work together to solve some of the country’s toughest challenges.
A Vision for a Self-Reliant Future
These three breakthroughs are not isolated achievements. They reflect a larger transformation driven by national missions such as the National Quantum Mission, which aims to position India as a global hub for quantum research. More importantly, they embody the spirit of Aatmanirbharta—self-reliance—by proving that Indian talent can design, build, and deliver high-impact technologies for global use.
By nurturing scientific talent, investing in research, and promoting collaboration between academia, industry, and government, India is setting the stage for a future powered by indigenous innovation. The country’s journey from a technology importer to a global innovator has well and truly begun.
