SRM University-AP Establishes Indias First Quantum Reference Facility, Inaugurated by CM of Andhra Pradesh
On World Quantum Day, SRM University-AP made history by inaugurating India’s first and only Quantum Reference Facility (QRF). This significant event was marked by a ceremony led by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, symbolizing a major step forward in India’s technological landscape.
Inauguration Ceremony
The inauguration was attended by various dignitaries, including:
- Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Science & Technology
- Shri Bhaskar Katamneni, IAS, Secretary, Information Technology, Government of Andhra Pradesh
- Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (participated online)
- Representatives from DRDO, IIT Tirupati, IIT Madras, TIFR, and various startups
- Leadership from SRM University-AP, including Pro-Chancellor Dr. P Sathyanarayanan and Vice Chancellor Prof. Ch Satish Kumar
Significance of the Quantum Reference Facility
Shri C V Sridhar, Mission Director of the AP State Quantum Mission, delivered a welcome address emphasizing the importance of the QRF as a launchpad for India to become one of the top five global hubs for quantum research. He stated, “From a vision to reality, these indigenous QRFs will drive India forward in quantum technology.”
Chief Minister’s Address
In his inaugural speech, CM Nara Chandrababu Naidu highlighted the transformative potential of quantum technology, stating, “Quantum is not just another technology; it is the mother of all frontier technologies.” He noted that the establishment of the QRF signifies a shift towards self-reliance in quantum hardware, bridging the gap that India has faced in accessing advanced quantum technologies.
He also acknowledged the contributions of seven participating organizations in developing and integrating quantum systems, which include:
- TIFR
- IISc
- DRDO DYSL Pune
- Amber Enterprises
- Qute Electronics
- Dimira
Facility Overview
The Quantum Reference Facility has been developed in less than eight months and serves as a fully instrumented hardware testbed. It enables real-time validation, benchmarking, and certification of quantum technologies under operational conditions, with the capability to test up to 100 Qubit quantum processes.
This facility is part of the Amaravati Quantum Valley Project, which aims to create a dual-system architecture consisting of Amaravati 1S at SRM University-AP and Amaravati 1Q at Medha Towers.
Transformative Potential of Quantum Technologies
Prof. Abhay Karandikar remarked that the Amaravati Quantum Valley is designed to transform Andhra Pradesh into a global hub for talent and high-end research. He emphasized that the QRF is not merely infrastructure but a foundation for a framework that will position India as a leader in quantum technologies.
Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood praised the Andhra Pradesh government’s proactive approach in establishing the quantum framework, noting that quantum technology will offer transformative solutions in various fields, including:
- Drug Discovery
- Healthcare
- Cryptography
- Cybersecurity
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Optimization Problems
- Quantum Radar and Sensing
Industry Perspectives
Dr. L. Venkata Subramaniam, Founder of Qbit Force, commended the leadership that has brought the quantum vision to fruition, while Shri Prudhvi Pinnaka, Founder of Qubitec, emphasized the role of Quantum Reference Facilities in translating research into real products.
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, and Prof. K. Satyanarayana, Director of IIT Tirupati, noted that Amaravati Quantum Valley is positioning Andhra Pradesh and India at the forefront of emerging technologies, supported by advanced infrastructure and skilled talent.
Dr. R. V. Haraprasad, Director General of NHTL, DRDO, highlighted the connection between defense and quantum technologies, stressing that achieving technological superiority requires strengthening in-house capabilities through indigenous research and development.
Future Prospects
Pro-Chancellor Dr. P Sathyanarayanan expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his support and reaffirmed SRM University-AP’s commitment to driving transformation in academic, research, and entrepreneurial initiatives. Vice Chancellor Prof. Ch Satish Kumar declared that this marks an era of transformation not just for the university but for Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, and the nation as a whole in the realm of quantum technologies.
With the launch of the Quantum Reference Facility, SRM University-AP is poised to become a cornerstone of Amaravati Quantum Valley, positioning Andhra Pradesh among the world’s leading quantum hubs. This initiative lays the groundwork for a distributed national quantum infrastructure, reflecting the vision of being “Built in India, Open to India, and to the World.”
Note: This article is based on a press release and aims to provide an overview of the establishment of India’s first Quantum Reference Facility at SRM University-AP.
