India has unveiled an ambitious quantum technology roadmap aimed at positioning the country among the top three global quantum economies by 2047. The roadmap, released jointly by NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub and IBM, reflects India’s intent to transition from a quantum research ecosystem to a full-spectrum quantum economy encompassing hardware, applications, skills, and trusted digital infrastructure.
India’s Quantum Roadmap 2047
The roadmap adopts a hardware-first and application-driven approach:
- Indigenous Quantum Hardware: Development of superconducting, photonic, and ion-trap quantum chips at scale to reduce import dependence.
- Startup Ecosystem: Creation of 10 globally competitive quantum startups through co-development platforms, venture funding, and public–private partnerships.
- Applied Quantum Use-Cases: Deployment of quantum solutions in defence systems, energy grids, logistics optimisation, financial modelling, and healthcare diagnostics.
- Skilled Workforce: Training of one lakh quantum professionals across IITs, IISERs, and national research laboratories to build a sustainable talent base.
- Trusted Quantum Standards: Establishment of quantum-secure encryption and verification networks for critical infrastructure protection.
Together, these pillars aim to move India beyond theoretical research into real-world quantum deployment.
Challenges in India’s Quantum Journey
Despite clear intent, structural bottlenecks remain:
- Low R&D Investment: India spends only 0.65% of GDP on R&D, far below China (2.2%) and the U.S. (2.8%), limiting long-term innovation capacity.
- Patent Deficit: Fewer than 50 quantum patents (2018–24) were filed by India, compared to 300+ by South Korea and 450+ by Japan.
- Hardware Import Dependence: Over 90% of quantum hardware components—such as cryogenic systems and quantum-grade lasers—are imported.
- Talent Scarcity: India has fewer than 2,000 specialised quantum researchers, while the EU employs over 15,000, creating academic and industrial gaps.
- Weak Industry Depth: Only 6–8 Indian startups actively build quantum products, compared to 100+ venture-funded firms in the U.S., including IonQ and PsiQuantum.
Way Forward
- Quantum Fabrication Clusters: Establish shared-access national quantum labs covering cryogenics, ion-trap, and photonic foundries.
- Mission-Mode Procurement: Mandate adoption of quantum-secure networks in defence and power grids, building on DRDO–QNu Labs QKD pilots.
- State-Level Incentives: Extend capital grants and tax rebates under state deep-tech policies, such as Karnataka’s Semiconductor & Deep Tech Policy (2022).
- Skills Pipeline: Set up five National Quantum Skill Centres integrated with IIT–IISER curricula.
- Patent Acceleration: Fast-track quantum IP examination and royalty support, drawing from Japan’s Patent Highway Scheme.