Leading in the Quantum Era

India is rapidly emerging as a global leader in quantum technology, leveraging its vast talent pool and educational initiatives to drive innovation and solve real-world problems. From significant strides in research to government-backed initiatives, India’s commitment to quantum advancements is positioning it at the forefront of the global quantum revolution.

- L. Venkata Subramaniam

Last year, IBM brought about a significant milestone in quantum computing: the advent of the quantum utility era. Quantum utility means quantum computers can execute circuits that surpass the brute-force simulation capabilities of classical computers. And India is poised to become a leader in this era and help bring about the next evolutionary leap in quantum computing: achieving quantum advantage.

Quantum advantage represents point where quantum computers not only perform tasks beyond the reach of brute-force classical simulations but also solve practical problems faster or more efficiently than any classical computing method, hereby offering real-world benefits. Achieving quantum advantage requires advancing in two areas: the first is the continuing maturation of quantum hardware and software, relying on ever-improving scale, quality, speed, error handling techniques, and more. The second is in developing the algorithms, applications, and ecosystem required to make the most use of that quantum infrastructure.

Researchers, educators, students, and other stakeholders are passionately working to build the country’s quantum computing community. And now, with its National Quantum Mission, the country is becoming quantum ready and working to push the field closer to quantum advantage.

INDIA'S NATIONAL QUANTUM MISSION

On April 19, 2023, the Union Cabinet approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM), funded from 2023-24 to 2030-3. This mission aimed to “seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT).”

" ACHIEVING QUANTUM ADVANTAGE REQUIRES ADVANCING IN TWO AREAS: THE CONTINUING MATURATION OF QUANTUM HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALGORITHMS, APPLICATIONS, AND AN ECOSYSTEM TO MAKE THE MOST USE OF THAT QUANTUM INFRASTRUCTURE.