India is steadily closing the gap in the global quantum computing race, driven by sustained public investment, policy focus, and a growing talent pool, even as the country works to overcome key structural challenges such as access to indigenous quantum hardware.
Launched around 2017–18, India’s national quantum initiative has focused on four priority domains: quantum computing applications, secure quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum-enabled navigation systems. Substantial public funding has been committed to build foundational research capacity, develop skilled manpower, and create long-term technological sovereignty in this frontier area.
Quantum computing differs fundamentally from classical computing. While classical systems process one possibility at a time, quantum systems can evaluate multiple possibilities simultaneously, enabling dramatic speed-ups for problems involving complex simulations, optimisation, cryptography, and drug discovery. Globally, advanced economies have already demonstrated early-generation quantum systems with hundreds of qubits, and further breakthroughs are expected over the next decade.
India, however, is still in the process of developing its own full-scale quantum computers and currently relies on access to overseas quantum infrastructure for experimentation and applied research. Experts view this phase as comparable to the early days of the internet, when domestic capacity was limited but rapid learning eventually enabled self-reliance.
Commenting on India’s progress, Rajnarayan Singh, an expert at the Centre for Police Technology, said,
“India’s quantum journey has moved decisively from vision to execution. While we may not yet possess large-scale indigenous quantum hardware, the strength lies in our human capital, algorithmic research, and applied use-cases. For sectors like national security, policing, and cyber forensics, early preparedness in quantum-safe technologies is far more critical than merely owning machines.”
He added that quantum technologies will have deep implications for law enforcement and internal security, particularly in encryption, secure communications, data analytics, and future cybercrime challenges.
“Institutions must start preparing today for a post-quantum world, where existing cryptographic systems could become vulnerable,” Singh noted.
Globally, quantum computing is projected to contribute trillions of dollars to the economy by 2035. India aims to be a significant stakeholder in this emerging ecosystem by nurturing long-term research, encouraging collaboration between academia and government, and aligning quantum development with strategic national needs.
As the gap with global leaders narrows, experts agree that patience, sustained funding, and security-oriented applications will determine how effectively India converts its quantum ambition into real-world advantage.
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