The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

India has been making significant advances in quantum technology, particularly in the development of quantum computing. Bengaluru-based QpiAI, one of the eight startups selected under the National Quantum Mission, coordinated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) announced the launch of one of India's most powerful quantum computers featuring 25 superconducting qubits, on the occasion of World Quantum Day on April 14, 2025. QpiAI plans to sample a 64-qubit system by Q3 FY26 and scale up to 1,000+ qubits by the end of the decade.

Bengaluru-based QpiAI announced the launch of one of India's most powerful quantum computers featuring 25 superconducting qubits, on the occasion of World Quantum Day

A key milestone is the launch of QpiAI-Indus, India's first full-stack quantum computing system, 'QpiAI-Indus', featuring advanced quantum hardware, control systems, and optimised software. The QpiAI-Indus is housed in Bengaluru, where it is primarily being used. The system is currently being used to power use-cases in materials modelling, automotive simulation, and drug discovery. It will also be available through QpiAI's Quantum-as-a-Service (QaaS) platform for remote access by researchers and enterprises/businesses to leverage its computational power without needing to be physically present.

The QpiAI-Indus is part of India's National Quantum Mission (NQM), which was launched in April 2023 with a budget of ₹6,003.65 crore (approximately $730 million) spanning 2023–24 to 2030–31. The NQM aims to advance quantum computing technology in the country. The QpiAI-Indus is being used for various applications, including:

• Materials Modelling - optimising the design of new materials;
• Automotive Simulation - reducing the time required for complex simulations, like designing a car trunk;
• Drug Discovery - exploring new drug candidates and molecular interactions.

A key milestone is the launch of QpiAI-Indus, India's first full-stack quantum computing system, 'QpiAI-Indus', featuring advanced quantum hardware, control systems, and optimised software

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing the NQM, under which four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) have been established in key technology verticals: Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and Quantum Materials & Devices. These T-Hubs comprise 14 Technical Groups, spanning 17 States and two Union Territories. The core activities undertaken by these hubs include technology development, human resource development, entrepreneurship development, industry engagement, and international collaborations. The NQM has issued guidelines to support startups, which have been adopted by the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) – I-HUB Quantum Technology Foundation at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune. TIH at IISER Pune has supported eight startups in the field of quantum technologies.

Key objectives of the NQM include: develop intermediate scale quantum computers with 20-50 physical qubits, 50-100 physical qubits and 50-1000 physical qubits in 3 years, 5 years and 8 years, respectively; develop satellite based secure quantum communications between two ground stations over a range of 2,000 kilometres within India as well as long distance secure quantum communications with other countries; develop inter-city quantum key distribution over 2,000 km with trusted nodes using wavelength division multiplexing on existing optical fibre; develop multi-node Quantum network with quantum memories, entanglement swapping and synchronised quantum repeaters at each node (2-3 nodes); develop magnetometers with 1 femto-Tesla/sqrt(Hz) sensitivity in atomic systems and better than 1 pico-Tesla/sqrt(Hz) sensitivity in Nitrogen Vacancy-centres; Gravity measurements having sensitivity better than 100 nano-meter/second2 using atoms and Atomic Clocks with 10-19 fractional instability for precision timing; design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel Semiconductor structures and topological materials for fabrication of quantum devices for quantum computing and communication.

The QpiAI-Indus is part of India's National Quantum Mission (NQM), which was launched in April 2023 with a budget of ₹6,003.65 crore (approximately $730 million) spanning 2023–24 to 2030–31.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has established a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Quantum Technology and has also deployed the Metro Area Quantum Access Network (MAQAN) in Chennai, establishing a secure quantum communication testbed. The DRDO has developed a 6-qubit quantum processor based on superconducting circuit technology in collaboration with Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai. In addition, DoS has demonstrated Free-space Quantum Key Distribution over a distance of 300 meter with real-time processing and live exchanges of quantum-secured networks. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has developed a cold atom-based gravimeter at Raja Raman Centre for Advanced Technology, Madhya Pradesh. The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has developed products integrating Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) technologies, and has also established a Centre of Excellence in Quantum Communication. The DST has now called for proposals for development of indigenous Quantum Algorithmsfrom researchers and academicians by August 10, 2025.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing the NQM, under which four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) have been established in key technology verticals: Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and Quantum Materials & Devices.

The NQM focuses on developing various quantum technologies, including: Quantum Computing - intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1,000 physical qubits in eight years using platforms like superconducting and photonic technology; Quantum Communication - satellite-based secure quantum communication across 2,000 km within India and with other countries, inter-city quantum key distribution (QKD) over 2,000 km, and multi-node quantum networks; Quantum Sensing & Metrology - high-sensitivity magnetometers in atomic systems, atomic clocks for precision timing and navigation, and gravity sensors; Quantum Materials & Devices - materials like superconductors, novel semiconductor structures, and topological materials for fabricating qubits, single-photon sources, and other quantum devices.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has established a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Quantum Technology and has also deployed the Metro Area Quantum Access Network (MAQAN) in Chennai, establishing a secure quantum communication testbed.

The above developments have sparked security concerns in Pakistan; especially with the NQM advancing quantum computing, communications, cryptography and sensing, and the development of intermediate-scale (50-100 qubits) quantum computers within eight years, satellite-based quantum communications over 2,000 km, and quantum resistant encryption systems – all of which have strategic implications applications in the fields of defence and security.