What happened?
The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India released the first edition of India’s International Technology Engagement Strategy for Quantum. The report, unveiled by PSA Ajay Kumar Sood on World Quantum Day 2025, aims to articulate India’s outward-facing strategy in Quantum Science, Technology and Innovation (QSTI) to accelerate discovery, foster innovation, and catalyse adoption across critical sectors. The strategy report provides a foundational landscape analysis for domestic and foreign stakeholders in government, academia, and industry, aligning with India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM). Professor Sood emphasised the importance of Quantum Technology for strategic autonomy, the need for India to invest in Quantum hardware, reduce import dependencies, increase funding for startups, and actively participate in defining global standards for Quantum Tech. The NQM, efficiently rolled out by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), looks at the complete life cycle of this frontier technology, involving 152 researchers from 43 institutions across 17 states and 2 Union Territories.
Why it matters to India
The release of the International Technology Engagement Strategy for Quantum highlights India’s focus on advancing in Quantum Science, Technology and Innovation (QSTI) to achieve strategic autonomy and economic growth. By investing in Quantum hardware, reducing import dependencies, and creating a supportive ecosystem for startups, India aims to become a key player in the global Quantum Tech landscape. Actively participating in defining global standards for Quantum Tech will ensure that India’s interests are protected and that it can effectively compete in the global market. The National Quantum Mission (NQM) and the hub-and-spoke model being implemented demonstrate India’s commitment to developing a comprehensive Quantum ecosystem, fostering innovation, and strengthening international partnerships.