The government plans to support hundred engineering colleges in advancing quantum research by providing ₹1 crore each to set up laboratories for undergraduate minor programmes. Department of Science and Technology (DST) Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar announced the initiative.
He noted that DST has already received over 500 proposals, from which 100 institutions will be selected. “We are going to set up teaching labs in hundred engineering colleges and institutions for undergraduate minor programs,” he said. Karandikar added that DST will also establish a quantum algorithms technical group to strengthen capacity building, support start-ups, and drive technology development.
Strong Progress Under National Quantum Mission
Karandikar highlighted the significant progress made under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems and the National Quantum Mission (NQM). He praised IIT Bombay for its leadership in supporting start-ups, developing new technologies and advancing work on Indian-language large language models.
Under the NQM, the four hubs — IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay — have demonstrated strong advancements in recent months. The quantum sensing hub at IIT Bombay has been particularly impressive, he said.
India to Establish Major Quantum Fabrication Facilities
Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh announced two major quantum fabrication and central facilities under the NQM. With an investment of ₹720 crore, these facilities will be set up at IIT Bombay and IISc Bengaluru. Two smaller facilities will also come up at IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur. These centres will help India indigenise the fabrication of quantum computing chips and quantum sensors, reducing reliance on foreign facilities and speeding up technology development.
Boosting India’s Cryogenics and Quantum Capabilities
India currently depends on overseas facilities for quantum device fabrication, which slows down development. The new infrastructure will be accessible to academia, research institutions, industry, start-ups, MSMEs and strategic sectors. It will enable faster prototyping, technology development and small-scale production.
Dr. Singh said the initiatives will strengthen India’s capabilities in:
*Cryogenic engineering
*Superconductivity
*Quantum computing
*Quantum sensing
*Photonics
*Healthcare technologies
*Green energy devices
He also highlighted the importance of liquid helium, a critical resource for MRI systems, materials characterization and cryogenic electron microscopy.
New Cryogenics Facility to Reduce Costs Dramatically
The minister announced a new cryogenics facility equipped with an efficient helium recovery system. This system is expected to reduce the cost of cryogenic experiments to one-tenth of current expenses while conserving one of the world’s rarest materials. “As global demand for quantum computers rises, India must strengthen its cryogenics infrastructure,” Singh said. He added that advancements at the Quantum Lab and the new facility underscore India’s growing leadership in next-generation science and technology. As reported by msn.com, he said IIT Bombay’s work shows how academia, government and industry can collaborate effectively. This collaboration is helping build a world-class scientific ecosystem for future technologies.
