The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) achieved a major milestone by signing a INR1 crore licensing agreement with Indrarka Quantum Technologies Pvt Ltd. The deal, brokered by the institute’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO), marks the commercial transfer of India’s first silicon-photonics–based high-speed Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG)—a breakthrough developed at the Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems (CPPICS) at IIT-Madras.
This isn’t just another lab prototype. The technology is field-ready. A preliminary version was delivered to DRDO’s DYSL-QT unit, and a more refined version has already gone live at the Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS), Chennai, catering to real-world quantum security needs.
Quantum random number generators tap into the inherently unpredictable behavior of quantum systems—think photons whose outcomes are fundamentally random. That kind of randomness can’t be reverse-engineered or guessed, making it far more secure than software-generated pseudo-random numbers, which are ultimately deterministic.
By using silicon photonics, the QRNG becomes compact, scalable, and cost-effective, compared to bulky and expensive quantum lab setups. That opens doors for widespread deployment, from defence and finance to gaming and scientific simulations.
Potential Applications
The licensed QRNG technology has wide-ranging applications, including:
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Secure communication for military and defence systems
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Cryptographic algorithms and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)
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Scientific modeling and simulations where true randomness improves reliability
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Financial security—such as OTP generation, blockchain, and secure transactions
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Fairness in gaming and lotteries, ensuring outcomes can’t be tampered with
Leadership Comments
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, emphasized the importance of silicon photonics as a bridge between photonic hardware and quantum technologies:
“Random number generation is a critical building block for secure computing and communication. I am extremely excited that the CPPICS has developed this QRNG that could be readily deployed in the market.” Business StandardIndian Institute of Technology Madras
S Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, called the innovation “a pride for India,” underscoring the broader impact of indigenously developed quantum technologies.
On the industry side, Dinanath Soni, Director at Indrarka Quantum Technologies, pointed out how this collaboration stands as a Make in India success story, promising access to indigenous innovation for critical sectors:
“We are honoured to partner with IIT Madras in bringing India’s first Silicon Photonics-based QRNG to market. We are committed to making this indigenous innovation accessible across critical sectors, establishing India as a global leader in quantum security.” Business StandardIndian Institute of Technology Madras
Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean (IC&SR) at IIT Madras, said the licensing deal highlights how focused R&D and meaningful industry engagement can produce technologies of national importance.
Prof. Bijoy Krishna Das, lead investigator at CPPICS, described the field-deployable QRNG module as India’s first and a landmark in the university’s research history. He also thanked MeitY for supporting the silicon photonics Centre.
With the licensing agreement signed, commercial deployment is officially underway. Indrarka Quantum Technologies is now positioned to bring this capability into sectors demanding high levels of security. The technology is not just a demonstration—it’s a scalable solution.
This move suggests that India is stepping confidently into the global quantum security space. As quantum computing evolves, encryption methods that rely on true randomness will become essential. Thanks to this licensing, India now owns not just the technology—but also a strategic first mover advantage.
