Indian Quantum Facilities At IITs & IISc Announced
On November 25, 2025, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced a significant investment in quantum technology with the establishment of four state-of-the-art Quantum Fabrication and Central Facilities. This initiative, totaling ₹720 crore, will be located at prestigious institutions including IIT Bombay, IISc Bengaluru, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Delhi, under the National Quantum Mission (NQM).
Investment Overview
The ₹720-crore investment aims to create indigenous quantum fabrication capacity, reducing India’s reliance on foreign quantum laboratories. The facilities will focus on quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum materials, thereby fostering a robust hardware ecosystem for sovereign, secure, and scalable quantum devices. These facilities will be accessible to academia, industry, and strategic sectors throughout the nation.
Focus Areas of the Facilities
- IIT Bombay and IIT Kanpur: These institutions will anchor the nation’s quantum sensing and metrology infrastructure.
- IISc Bengaluru and IIT Bombay: Focus will be on advancing quantum computing fabrication utilizing superconducting, photonic, and spin qubits.
- IIT Delhi: This institution will host the quantum materials and device development ecosystem.
Goals and Objectives
The establishment of these specialized facilities is intended to:
- Create a controlled environment for prototyping indigenous quantum devices.
- Support translational research to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical applications.
- Train a new generation of quantum hardware experts.
- Build globally competitive quantum hardware that aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) by 2047.
National Quantum Mission (NQM)
The National Quantum Mission (NQM) is a strategic initiative aimed at establishing India as a leader in quantum technology. The ₹720-crore investment is a crucial step towards achieving this goal. By creating a domestic hardware ecosystem for quantum technologies, the NQM aims to:
- Reduce dependence on international quantum labs.
- Foster collaboration among academic, industrial, and strategic sectors.
- Encourage innovation and development in quantum technology.
Technological Innovation and Start-ups
IIT Bombay’s Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) serves as a model for translational research. Currently, it supports 96 technology projects and over 50 deep-tech start-ups, with portfolio companies achieving a combined valuation of ₹466 crore. This showcases a successful pathway from research to market, highlighting the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the growth of India’s deep-tech sector.
AI Initiatives: BharatGen and Digital Innovation
In addition to quantum technology, India is also making strides in artificial intelligence (AI) through initiatives like BharatGen. This initiative aims to establish the nation’s first sovereign multilingual AI models capable of processing text, speech, and vision across more than 22 Indian languages. Applications such as Krishi Sathi, e-VikrAI, and Docbodh demonstrate India’s growing leadership in AI and data sovereignty.
Conclusion
The establishment of quantum facilities at IITs and IISc represents a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in quantum technologies. This initiative not only aims to enhance India’s capabilities in quantum computing and sensing but also supports the broader vision of self-reliance and innovation in technology. As India continues to invest in deep-tech initiatives, it is well-positioned to make substantial contributions to the global quantum landscape.
Note: The information provided in this article is based on announcements made by government officials and is subject to change as projects develop.
