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Quantum Technology

Quantum Technology

A quantum processor, for a quantum computer, with three quantum bits (qubits) and three read-out cavities, fabricated in May 2017 at the Nan
A quantum processor, for a quantum computer, with three quantum bits (qubits) and three read-out cavities, fabricated in May 2017 at the Nan · Anita Fors (Chalmers) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
₹6,003 cr
National Quantum Mission
25-qubit
First full-stack computer (2025)
7th
Nation with a quantum mission
National Quantum Mission
2018
QuEST seeds the field
The Quantum-Enabled Science & Technology programme (₹250 crore) funds the first cluster of quantum labs across India.
2020
A national mission is flagged
2023
National Quantum Mission approved
2024
Four thematic hubs go live
2025
India's first full-stack quantum computer
2026
Amaravati Quantum Valley
2018
1milestones
20182026
Latest
QuEST seeds the field
The Quantum-Enabled Science & Technology programme (₹250 crore) funds the first cluster of quantum labs across India.
SEM image of a quantum chip composed of an array of 24 artificial atoms (aluminum qubits). Here, you can consider the key architectural elem
SEM image of a quantum chip composed of an array of 24 artificial atoms (aluminum qubits). Here, you can consider the key architectural elem · FMNLab · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
This close-up photograph shows a single Performance-Enhanced Array for Counting Optical Quanta (PEACOQ) detector. Smaller than a dime, a sin
This close-up photograph shows a single Performance-Enhanced Array for Counting Optical Quanta (PEACOQ) detector. Smaller than a dime, a sin · NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
SEM image of 11 superconducting qubits chip. The qubits are connected in a chain to form a new type of quantum simulator. Here, you can cons
SEM image of 11 superconducting qubits chip. The qubits are connected in a chain to form a new type of quantum simulator. Here, you can cons · FMNLab · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The FMN Laboratory team is assembling the cryogenic part of the quantum computer, which provides cooling of superconducting processors to al
The FMN Laboratory team is assembling the cryogenic part of the quantum computer, which provides cooling of superconducting processors to al · FMNLab · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

History

India's quantum story runs from Satyendra Nath Bose, whose 1924 work seeded quantum statistics, to the QuEST programme of 2018 that funded the first cluster of quantum labs. For years the effort was scattered across universities; the push since 2020 has been to knit it into a single national mission with real money behind it.

The mission

The National Quantum Mission, approved in 2023 with ₹6,003 crore over eight years, makes India one of only a handful of countries with a dedicated quantum programme. It aims for quantum computers of 50 to 1,000 physical qubits, satellite-based quantum-secure communication over 2,000 km, and indigenous quantum sensors and materials — organised through four thematic hubs at IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi. Early hardware has followed: QpiAI's 25-qubit Indus (2025), a 64-qubit Kaveri chip, and the Amaravati Quantum Valley anchored by an IBM Quantum System Two.

How it works

Quantum technology exploits the strange physics of the very small — where particles can be in many states at once — to build machines that could crack problems ordinary computers can't. India pursues it through the National Quantum Mission, which funds a small number of specialist thematic hubs in top institutes, each focused on one area: quantum computing, secure quantum communication, sensing, and materials. It is deliberately long-horizon, foundational research.

Outlook

The National Quantum Mission (₹6,003 crore, 2023-2031) sets concrete targets: a home-built quantum computer of 50-1,000 qubits within eight years, and secure quantum communication over 2,000 km. India is early rather than late here — the next step is turning lab research into working hardware and a domestic quantum industry, and racing the handful of countries (US, China, EU) investing heavily, since quantum could one day break today's encryption.

The road ahead

India is early rather than late here — the next five years are about turning the National Quantum Mission's ambition into working machines, training many more experts, and building more of the key hardware at home.

By the numbers

National Quantum Mission ₹6,003 crore (2023-31); target 50 to 1,000 physical qubits and 2,000 km satellite quantum links; 4 thematic hubs, 150-plus researchers across 40-plus institutions; first full-stack 25-qubit computer (QpiAI-Indus, 2025); 17 startups supported. Sources: Department of Science & Technology; PIB.

Source: National Quantum Mission (DST) / PIB — milestones, 2018–2026.