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The Print
09-06-2025
- Science
- The Print
Quantum startup QuBeats wins Rs 25 crore govt grant to build GPS-free navigation for Indian Navy
In an era dominated by satellite-based navigation like GPS, the risk of signal denial in the form of jamming and spoofing, particularly in contested military zones, has spurred global investment in alternative technologies. Quantum navigation uses principles of quantum mechanics to develop systems that are entirely self-reliant, needing no external satellite inputs. According to a press release issued by the start-up, the award will fund the development of high-precision quantum sensors that enable accurate navigation in environments where GPS is jammed, denied or spoofed—a critical capability for modern military operations. New Delhi: Quantum deep-tech startup QuBeats, one of India's first focused on quantum sensing, has won the ADITI 2.0 Defence Challenge to develop an indigenous Quantum Positioning System (QPS) for the Indian Navy, securing a government grant worth Rs 25 crore. This system will enable naval ships and submarines to navigate accurately even in areas where GPS is unavailable or vulnerable to deception. Founded by a team of Indian researchers from global institutions in 2023, QuBeats is led by Mallikarjun Karra, a PhD candidate at the Max Planck Society; Madhu Talluri, a postdoctoral researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley Lab; Shouvik Mukherjee, a postdoc at the Joint Quantum Institute (University of Maryland); and Rajat Sethi, a graduate of MIT, Harvard and IIT Kharagpur who has also served as a political adviser to three chief ministers. At the centre of the start-up's work is the development of a 'quantum magnetometer', an advanced sensor that detects subtle changes in the Earth's magnetic field. Since these magnetic patterns differ from place to place, accurately sensing them can help navigate by using the Earth itself as a natural map. 'GPS denial is a real and growing threat, especially in contested zones,' Mallikarjun Karra, one of the founders, told ThePrint. 'But the Earth itself offers a solution. It acts like a giant magnet and its magnetic waves can be used for positioning. Quantum sensors allow us to navigate using these natural signatures with unmatched precision, even when GPS is unavailable.' The release by the company added that the quantum navigation suite under development includes not just magnetometers, but also quantum gyroscopes, miniature atomic clocks, Rydberg radars and ultra-sensitive detection sensors. These technologies are intended for a range of strategic military applications such as undersea warfare, long-range missile guidance and communication in contested environments. The release further said that these technologies have potential civilian applications as well, including deep-sea exploration, autonomous vehicles, and space navigation. 'The global market for such quantum systems is estimated to be around USD 10 billion,' the company said, adding that it is currently raising a seed funding round to accelerate its product development roadmap. Where India stands in the global quantum race Globally, major powers are already investing heavily in quantum navigation and sensing. China has reportedly integrated quantum magnetometers into its naval operations to enhance submarine detection capabilities. State-owned enterprises like CETC (China Electronics Technology Group Corporation) and research arms of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have been working on quantum sensors that can penetrate stealth technology by detecting minute magnetic field changes underwater. In the United States, DARPA (The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and major defence contractors such as Northrop Grumman and Honeywell Aerospace are investing heavily in chip-scale atomic clocks, quantum accelerometers and gravity-based sensors, all aimed at enhancing battlefield navigation without GPS reliance. Further, the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence is also collaborating with BAE Systems and the UK Quantum Technology Hub on developing quantum inertial sensors for GPS-denied environments, particularly in maritime scenarios. India, meanwhile, has also been gradually stepping up efforts in the quantum domain. Last month, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) opened its first Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) in Delhi, a facility set to boost research and development in quantum computing, sensing and communication for defence applications. As per a statement by the Defence Ministry, 'The QTRC is expected to act as a national hub for defence-oriented quantum research, with collaborations expected from both the public and private sectors'. The QuBeats grant is part of the Ministry of Defence's broader ADITI (Aatmanirbhar Defence Technology Initiative) 2.0 programme, launched in October last year. This initiative includes 19 challenges from the Armed Forces covering areas such as AI, quantum tech, military communication, anti-drone systems and adaptive camouflage. The winners receive funding up to Rs 25 crore through the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) platform. 'Winning the ADITI 2.0 Challenge is not just a validation of our unique technology approach, but a clarion call to India's quantum aspirations. QuBeats is here to build the future—and build it from India,' said the founders in a joint statement. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: IAF aircraft flying into earthquake-hit Myanmar faced GPS spoofing. How it is different from jamming
India Today
09-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
QuBeats bags Rs 25 crore defence grant to build quantum navigation for Indian Navy
QuBeats, a deep-tech startup working on quantum sensing, has received a Rs 25 crore grant after winning the ADITI 2.0 Defence Challenge. The startup will use the money to build a Quantum Positioning System (QPS) for the Indian Navy. This system will help naval ships and submarines navigate even in places where GPS does not work or can be many defence operations, satellite-based navigation systems like GPS can be jammed or tricked by enemies. QuBeats is working on a solution that does not rely on satellites at all. Its system uses quantum magnetometers, which can pick up tiny changes in the Earth's magnetic field. These changes are unique to every location and help in knowing where one is, just like a digital map, but without new system is useful not just for defence but also for civilian use. It can be used in deep sea exploration, underground mining, and disaster zones where regular signals don't reach. The total global market for such technology is estimated to be around USD 10 billion. QuBeats is also looking to raise more funds from private investors to speed up its by a team of Indian researchers with strong international backgrounds, QuBeats is one of the few companies in India working in the field of quantum sensing. The team includes Mallikarjun Karra, a PhD candidate at Max Planck Society; Madhu Talluri, a researcher who worked at Lawrence Berkeley Lab; Shouvik Mukherjee, a postdoctoral researcher from the University of Maryland; and Rajat Sethi, who studied at MIT, Harvard, and IIT is not just building navigation tools. The startup is also working on other products using quantum science. These include gyroscopes, tiny atomic clocks, sensors that can detect targets at great distances, and even radar systems based on Rydberg atoms—a field that is still new in India.'Winning the ADITI 2.0 Challenge is not just a validation of our technology, but a signal that India is ready for the quantum age,' the founders of QuBeats said in a joint Reel advertisement
Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
German ambassador Philipp Ackermann writes: Germany's universities and research ecosystem have – and want
From a German point of view, the Indian diaspora seems to have a magic formula for success. They climb to the highest ranks around the world, particularly in Europe and North America. They succeed in the economy, in education, and in research. What do they bring to the table? A culture where education and learning are highly regarded, where grit and determination are a necessity, and where being adaptable and nifty is a way of life. What is it that we offer? An open society, an internationalised economy and education landscape, and a framework where hard work and skill are rewarded. When smart and well-educated Indians plan parts of their career outside India, they usually think of the English-speaking world first. But I think that the smartest Indians should actually start thinking about Germany. Why? Let me give you a few reasons. Germany is built on a tradition of science and education. Compulsory education was a German invention, and the modern university was shaped in 19th-century Germany. German scientists dominated the Nobel Prize during the first 50 years of its existence. For the longest time, the tiny university town of Göttingen had the highest Nobel Prize rate per capita. Almost 50 Nobel Prizes are linked to its university. The beauty of this story is that it would not have been possible without the minds of those who were also shaped outside of Germany. For excellent science, brilliant ideas need to travel freely, and so do brilliant people. Many of our world-famous scientific organisations are built on this principle — be it the Humboldt Foundation, the Max Planck Society, the Helmholtz Institutes, the DFG, or Fraunhofer. Thirty-one researchers of the Max Planck Society have won Nobel Prizes in natural sciences. If you go through the list, you will find a lot of names that do not sound very German. It is an open, internationalised organisation, and that is why it is so strong. One of the most inspiring stories written by our accessible and welcoming scientific landscape is that of the pharmaceutical company BioNTech. Founded less than 20 years ago, it is now valued at almost $30 billion. With its groundbreaking mRNA technology, it helped address the global Covid pandemic. Its founders? One was born in Turkey; the other is a second-generation migrant from Turkey. Who knows from which country the founders of the next BioNTech will come to Germany? German educational institutions do not select their students and scientists based on economic criteria. We are not looking for the richest minds in the world but for the smartest. You will find that German institutions offer world-class education and research facilities while being very affordable. German science is so accessible because there is a lot of money in it. We are not setting up high economic walls around our research and education institutions. To a large extent, the German education and research ecosystem is financed by taxpayers' money to make it as accessible as possible. Excellent quality, excellent equipment, excellent researchers — all backed by public spending. The private sector adds to this — it opens the way for applied research, for large interdisciplinary teams, and for bringing your ideas to the market. Some German companies have annual research budgets that only a few national research budgets around the world can actually match. It is no secret anymore that Germany is a very interesting destination for Indian students. There are 50,000 already in Germany. State universities have had excellent experiences with students from India. And up to 18 months after graduation, they can look for a job in Germany. Right now they will find many job offers, particularly in the STEM field. Germany, an engineering nation, is offering a lot of opportunities. There is, of course, the question of the language barrier. Be assured, English is the language of science – and Germany is no exception to this. If you want to buy freshly baked bread rolls on your way to your lab, you might have to master the intricacies of the German language. But if you want to run one of the state-of-the-art particle accelerators in Germany or crack the riddles of quantum physics in one of our beautiful university towns, English will do the trick. We believe that we should select international students based on their talents and their dedication, and not based on what they say on social media. Of course, you will have to prove that you are smart, ambitious, dedicated, and industrious — that is important for us. Indians have an excellent reputation in our science landscape — and we want to invite more brilliant Indians to come to Germany. You are very willkommen! The writer is Germany's Ambassador to India
NDTV
03-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Researchers Eyeing Options Beyond US Can Look To This Country
With former US President Donald Trump back in power, the American research community is facing renewed uncertainty. Visa cancellations, abrupt funding cuts, and restrictive policies are pushing scientists and researchers to seek opportunities elsewhere. Amid this exodus, Germany has stepped in as a welcoming alternative-especially through its Max Planck Society. The Max Planck Society, one of the world's leading research networks, has seen a huge surge in applications from US-based researchers for its Spring 2025 intake. Notably, 81 women scientists from the US have applied this year, up from just 25 last year. The rise in applications from the US contrasts with stable numbers from other parts of the world, signalling a significant shift in researcher sentiment. Max Planck Society President Patrick Cramer revealed that nearly half of these new applicants are affiliated with leading US institutions such as Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the University of California system. Funded by the German government, the society comprises 84 research institutes and operates on an annual budget of 2 billion euros. It currently hosts 39 Nobel laureates, and 20 new researcher positions are now open. The exodus of researchers is largely linked to the Trump administration's crackdown on international scholars. A controversial directive sought to ban institutions like Harvard from admitting foreign students. Although a federal court has temporarily blocked this move, the uncertainty has already triggered panic in academic circles. The broader global education and research community has taken notice. High-profile scholars such as Yale historian Timothy Snyder have resigned in protest and relocated to institutions abroad. Anticipating this wave of displaced researchers, Germany has launched a national initiative called "1000 Brains" to expand its research infrastructure and absorb global talent.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Germany's Max Planck society emerges as magnet for US researchers amid Trump-era turmoil
Germany's Max Planck Society has recorded a dramatic threefold increase in applications from the United States, reflecting growing unease among American scientists over the future of research under President Donald Trump's administration. The spring 2025 recruitment round saw 81 applications from early-career women scientists in the US, compared to just 25 in the previous year as reported by Reuters. 'Applications from other parts of the world have remained constant. The surge is distinctly American,' confirmed Max Planck president Patrick Cramer. Top US institutions at the center of the exodus Almost half of the new US applicants are affiliated with just five institutions—Harvard University, Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the University of California. The Max Planck Society, a German state-funded research network with 84 institutes, a €2 billion annual budget, and 39 Nobel laureates, is now considering hiring 20 candidates, up from the originally planned 12, if the quality threshold is met. Research crackdown and the Harvard controversy The migration of talent follows the Trump administration's revocation of Harvard University's certification to host international students, a move currently blocked by a federal court. The policy mandates that foreign students either transfer to compliant institutions or lose their legal status in the US. The White House has indicated intentions to broaden the restrictions to additional universities. These developments have sent shockwaves through the global academic community, especially as prominent scholars, such as Yale historian Timothy Snyder, have already resigned in protest and relocated to institutions abroad. Europe seeks to absorb displaced talent Cramer, recently returned from discussions in the US, revealed to Reuters that international research leaders are increasingly focused on safeguarding academic talent. 'Our main concern is that a whole generation of scientists may be lost to global science,' he said. 'Europe must become a safe haven and help bridge the years ahead.' The German government is preparing a national initiative, tentatively titled the '1,000 Brains' programme, to expand research infrastructure in anticipation of an influx of international academics fleeing US policy disruptions. Germany's call to action: A wounded scientific benchmark Petra Olschowski, the research minister of Baden-Württemberg—home to four of Germany's 11 top-tier universities—warned that the global research ecosystem could suffer if American institutions continue to lose credibility. He said in an interaction with Reuters, 'Harvard and other major US universities are our benchmarks,' she said. 'That very standard is now under threat.' Global science at a crossroads Despite European enthusiasm to accommodate affected scholars, budgetary constraints remain a concern. Still, research organisations across the continent are aligning their efforts to counterbalance the instability in the US. As Trump's education policies grow increasingly nationalistic, Europe is positioning itself not just as an academic alternative, but as a sanctuary for scientific inquiry in peril. Ready to empower your child for the AI era? Join our program now! Hurry, only a few seats left.
