NEW DELHI: In a major step toward strengthening India’s quantum technology ecosystem, the government has announced a plan to fund ₹1 crore each to 100 engineering colleges for establishing dedicated quantum teaching laboratories. The initiative aims to introduce and expand undergraduate minor programmes in quantum science and engineering across the country.
The announcement was made by Department of Science and Technology (DST) Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar during an event at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. “We are going to set up teaching labs in a hundred engineering colleges and institutions for imparting undergraduate minor programmes. We have already received more than 500 proposals, from which about 100 will be selected,” he said.
Prof. Karandikar added that DST is also planning to create a Quantum Algorithms Technical Group that will support capacity building, assist start-ups, and drive innovation in quantum research and technology development.
The move aligns with the broader vision of the National Quantum Mission (NQM). Recently, Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the establishment of two major state-of-the-art Quantum Fabrication and Central Facilities during his visit to IIT Bombay. With a combined investment of ₹720 crore, the facilities—coming up at IIT Bombay and IISc Bengaluru—will focus on indigenously fabricating quantum computing chips and quantum sensors, critical components for advancing the nation’s quantum capabilities.
Additionally, two smaller-scale quantum facilities will be set up at IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur to widen the research ecosystem.
Dr. Singh said the expanded infrastructure will significantly boost India’s capabilities in cryogenic engineering, superconductivity, quantum computing, quantum sensing, photonics, healthcare technologies, and green energy devices, positioning the country as a rising global player in next-generation technologies.
