India has set an ambitious target to rank among the world's top three nations in filing patents related to quantum technologies by the year 2035. This strategic vision, outlined in a detailed roadmap by the government's policy think tank NITI Aayog, aims to position the country as a dominant force in the emerging global quantum economy.
A Talent-Centric Strategy for Quantum Dominance
To turn this vision into reality, the government recognizes the urgent need to build a massive, highly skilled workforce. The plan mandates a significant expansion of the nation's scientific, deep-engineering, and professional talent pool in the quantum field by 2027–2028. A key pillar of this effort is the introduction of competitive remuneration packages designed to attract and retain top minds.
These salary and benefit packages will be offered to individuals with specialized quantum skills working across academic institutions, technology incubation centres, and startups. Crucially, they will be benchmarked against both alternative domestic career paths and international opportunities to ensure India can compete in the global war for quantum talent.
Building the Quantum Education and Training Ecosystem
Beyond attractive pay, the strategy focuses on creating a robust foundation for continuous learning and skill development. The government will establish professional development programmes that blend essential business acumen with cutting-edge technological competencies specific to quantum technologies.
This educational push includes:
- Introducing dedicated interdisciplinary quantum engineering curricula at both undergraduate and doctoral levels.
- Developing strong vocational training ecosystems to support hands-on skill building.
- Placing a major emphasis on strengthening India's hardware engineering capabilities and cultivating homegrown technology leadership.
Furthermore, global training fellowships will be launched. These will enable Indian researchers and engineers to gain invaluable hands-on experience in leading laboratories worldwide, with the expectation that their newly acquired expertise will directly feed back into and strengthen India's domestic quantum ecosystem.
The 2040 Vision: A Quantum-Ready Workforce
The long-term objective is to deploy a formidable workforce of 1.2 lakh (120,000) trained professionals by the year 2040. This talent pool will span diverse and critical domains, including:
- Quantum Physics
- Materials Science
- Optical Engineering
- Quantum Information Science
Recognizing that technology alone is not enough, the plan also includes developing a cadre of business specialists skilled in sales, marketing, and business development specifically for the quantum sector, ensuring innovations can be successfully commercialized.
Why Quantum Technology Matters for India's Future
The national push is driven by quantum technology's transformative potential across key sectors. For instance, while classical computers struggle with complex optimization like city traffic management during heavy congestion, quantum computers can evaluate millions of traffic scenarios simultaneously, leading to far more efficient systems.
In healthcare, the drug discovery process that typically takes 10–15 years could be radically accelerated. Quantum computers can precisely simulate molecular behaviour, allowing scientists to identify promising drug compounds long before physical testing begins.
For logistics and supply chains, quantum technology can instantly calculate optimal delivery routes. This capability promises same-day deliveries, reduced fuel consumption, significant cost savings, and ultimately lower prices for consumers, showcasing the broad economic impact of mastering this frontier technology.
