India will deploy its largest quantum computer, an IBM Quantum System Two with a 156-qubit Heron processor, in the upcoming Quantum Valley Tech Park in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, through a collaboration between IBM, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Set to open in January 2026, the tech park aims to establish India as a global quantum technology leader by fostering innovation in quantum computing and AI.
Highlighted its national significance, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said, “Our National Quantum Mission is to make India a global hub in the quantum industry; a true center of innovation and job creation.”
IBM will provide hardware and expertise through its global IBM Quantum Network, while TCS will drive enterprise use cases and consulting services to embed quantum solutions across industries such as healthcare, finance, logistics, and manufacturing.
“Combining this with India’s National Quantum Mission, we could see an acceleration of the next critical milestone – a successful demonstration of quantum advantage,” Jay Gambetta, Vice President, IBM Quantum said in a press note.
India’s Nation Quantum Mission, announced in 2023, is aimed at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology by 2031.
The broader vision is to create high-end jobs, attract global investment, and enable enterprises to solve previously intractable problems — such as drug discovery and real-time logistics optimization — through quantum-powered solutions.
The new tech park at Amaravati will host research labs, startup incubators, and training programs to build a quantum-ready workforce, fostering collaboration across academia, industry, and startups.
“This collaboration with TCS will help attract India’s thriving ecosystem of developers, scientists, and industry experts,” IBM said in a statement.
India’s quantum computing future
India’s quantum push comes as the global market for quantum computing accelerates — from $1.79 billion in 2025 to $7.08 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 31.64%, according to ResearchAndMarkets. India’s domestic market is projected to grow at a 22.9% CAGR during the same period.
“Over the next few years, India will carve out a unique role in the global quantum ecosystem, contributing novel quantum algorithms and niche enterprise applications in sectors like pharmaceuticals and supply chain management,” Narayan Gokhale, principal analyst at QKS Group. “However, the real test will be talent,” he added. “India must address the talent gap and invest in indigenous technology to truly compete.”
India’s quantum ecosystem is expanding, with Bengaluru-based startup QpiAI, one of eight selected under the National Quantum Mission, launching 25-qubit quantum computers and planning to scale to 1,000 qubits by 2028.
The big picture
Globally, quantum computing remains in its infancy, with practical applications still confined to a few domains. Experts estimate that there is a significant global shortage of professionals with expertise in areas like quantum algorithms, error correction, and quantum control.
The UK’s National Quantum Strategy flags the talent shortfall as a key risk. In the US, Microsoft recently called for urgent investment to shore up its quantum computing workforce, warning that even global leaders are vulnerable without a strong talent pipeline.
This demand spans the entire stack — from quantum hardware and software to the advanced mathematics and data science skills required to exploit machines capable of computations far beyond classical systems.
Infrastructure presents an equally steep climb as quantum systems require ultra-low temperatures, highly stable power, high-performance computing environments, and reliable, high-speed connectivity. To emerge as a quantum powerhouse, India’s proposed initiatives must not only match global standards but also foster a sustainable ecosystem grounded in talent, robust infrastructure, and long-term policy support.
Source:: Network World