Pioneering Quantum Machines: India's Ascent in Quantum Science

A recent global conference in Kolkata highlighted India's emerging leadership in quantum science. Experts focused on transitioning quantum machines from error-prone to reliable at scale. The event marked the end of the International Year of Quantum, featuring discussions on technological advances and India's strategic role in quantum research.

At a global conference in Kolkata, experts discussed ways to make currently error-prone quantum machines more reliable at scale, marking a significant phase in the evolution of this technology, organizers announced Wednesday.

The International Conference on Quantum Information Science and Technology (ICQIST 2025) positioned India's leadership in quantum research as a focal point, coinciding with the conclusion of the United Nations-declared International Year of Quantum.

The five-day event hosted by TCG CREST's Centre for Quantum Engineering, Research and Education (CQuERE) drew over 180 delegates from more than 15 countries. It celebrated 100 years of quantum mechanics, featuring talks by Nobel laureates David J Wineland, Anne L Huillier, and Sir Roger Penrose.

The summit centered around transitioning current quantum platforms into scalable and fault-tolerant systems. Experts examined neutral-atom and superconducting platforms while highlighting hybrid GPU-QPU architectures for immediate applications. Prof. Bhanu Pratap Das, Director of CQuERE, noted the discussions underscored quantum science's shift from academia to having tangible technological and societal impacts.

Top global researchers, including Mark Saffman and Sougato Bose, were present. Industry-to-experimental system gaps were emphasized, focusing on hardware stability, control electronics, and systems engineering—essential for deploying academic findings.

Malabika Sarkar of TCG CREST emphasized India's transition from aspirational to executable quantum projects, driven by infrastructure investments and international collaborations, solidifying its standing in core quantum research.

CQuERE, established five years prior, contributes to pragmatic quantum computing and sensors in line with the National Quantum Mission (NQM), involving projects like secure communication technologies and quantum sensing. Ongoing initiatives explore Indian-international collaborations, particularly in hardware development and error correction.