QuBeats, an Indian deep-tech startup specializing in quantum sensing, has secured a Rs 25 crore grant by winning the ADITI 2.0 Defence Challenge. This funding will help them develop a Quantum Positioning System (QPS) for the Indian Navy, enabling navigation for ships and submarines in areas where GPS is unavailable or vulnerable to interference.
Unlike traditional satellite-based navigation systems like GPS—which can be jammed or spoofed—QuBeats' solution uses quantum magnetometers to detect subtle, location-specific variations in Earth’s magnetic field. These magnetic signatures act like a unique digital map, providing accurate positioning without relying on satellites.
This technology is not limited to defense; it holds significant promise for civilian applications including deep-sea exploration, underground mining, and disaster relief operations in signal-denied environments. The global market for such quantum navigation systems is estimated at around USD 10 billion.
QuBeats is led by a team of highly qualified Indian researchers with international experience:
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Mallikarjun Karra (PhD candidate, Max Planck Society)
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Madhu Talluri (former Lawrence Berkeley Lab researcher)
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Shouvik Mukherjee (postdoc, University of Maryland)
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Rajat Sethi (alumnus of MIT, Harvard, and IIT Kharagpur)
Beyond navigation, QuBeats is developing other quantum technology products such as gyroscopes, atomic clocks, long-range sensors, and Rydberg atom-based radar systems—cutting-edge fields that are still emerging in India.
The founders highlighted that winning the ADITI 2.0 challenge validates their technology and signals India’s readiness to enter the quantum age.
