tl;dr
On World Quantum Day, April 14, 2025, India launched the first International Technology Engagement Strategy–Quantum (ITES-Q) report, outlining its approach to advancing Quantum Science, Technology, and Innovation (QSTI). The report analyzes domestic and global quantum technology trends, investment, ...
On World Quantum Day, April 14, 2025, India launched the International Technology Engagement Strategy–Quantum (ITES-Q) report, marking a significant step in advancing its global quantum science, technology, and innovation (QSTI) efforts. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of domestic and global quantum technology trends, emphasizing investment, talent development, research, startups, and international collaboration opportunities.
The ITES-Q strategy underscores India's goal to reduce import dependence by boosting quantum hardware development and establishing global standards for quantum technology. This aligns with the country's National Quantum Mission (NQM), backed by approximately $735 million over eight years, aiming to position India as a global leader in quantum research and innovation.
The report highlights the growing activity of startups, particularly in quantum software and cryptography. However, funding remains modest and mostly comes from angel investors rather than institutional sources. Although India has a strong STEM workforce and government-led initiatives like the QuEST program, the country currently lacks major quantum software companies, most of which are developed internationally by giants such as IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Xanadu.
Investment trends reveal a transition in the quantum sector from experimental phases toward commercial viability, illustrated by a 10.8x increase in funding from 2018 to 2024, with a peak investment of $14.3 million in 2024. Still, the ecosystem depends heavily on angel investors, contrasting with global markets where venture capitalists and corporate consortia drive growth.
India’s quantum ecosystem benefits from a robust foundational research base and government missions supporting quantum innovation. Yet, experts identify the need for enhanced market creation, increased funding, and deeper integration of India’s software engineering talent into quantum algorithm and software development.
The ITES-Q report also incentivizes international partnerships by outlining India's strengths and opportunities for collaboration across various quantum domains. This initiative positions India as an emerging key player in a technology sector traditionally dominated by the U.S., European Union, and China. Looking forward, successive editions of the report aim to sharpen strategies and bolster India's role in defining global quantum standards and achieving strategic autonomy.