What Happened
- On February 7, 2026, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone for the Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV) complex at Uddandarayunipalem, Andhra Pradesh.
- The 50-acre facility will house India's first integrated quantum ecosystem, combining quantum computing hardware, software development, algorithm design, and workforce training within a single campus.
- The project involves partnerships with IBM, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to establish a 133-qubit quantum computer centre, with plans to install an IBM Quantum System Two powered by the 156-qubit Heron processor.
- The Quantum Valley complex is targeted for completion by August 2026, with the quantum computer operational by December 2026. IBM has pledged to train 50 lakh youth nationally in Quantum AI and cybersecurity, with 10 lakh from Andhra Pradesh.
Static Topic Bridges
National Quantum Mission (NQM)
The Union Cabinet approved the National Quantum Mission on April 19, 2023, at a total cost of Rs. 6,003.65 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2030-31. Implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the mission aims to make India a leading nation in quantum technologies and applications across computing, communications, sensing, and materials.
- Target: develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1,000 physical qubits in 8 years using superconducting and photonic technology platforms.
- Deliverables include satellite-based secure quantum communications over 2,000 km within India and inter-city quantum key distribution over 2,000 km.
- The mission envisages setting up four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in top academic and national R&D institutions on quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.
- India requires approximately 2.5 lakh quantum professionals by 2030 to meet growing industry demand.
Connection to this news: The Amaravati Quantum Valley is positioned as a state-level implementation aligned with the NQM's goals, aiming to translate national quantum research objectives into an operational technology hub with industry partnerships and workforce development.
Quantum Computing: Principles and Applications
Quantum computing harnesses quantum mechanical phenomena, primarily superposition and entanglement, to perform computations that are intractable for classical computers. While a classical bit can be either 0 or 1, a quantum bit (qubit) can exist in a superposition of both states simultaneously. Entanglement allows qubits to be correlated such that the state of one instantly influences another, regardless of distance.
- Key quantum computing platforms include superconducting circuits (IBM, Google), trapped ions (IonQ, Honeywell), photonic systems, and neutral atoms.
- IBM's Heron processor (used in the Quantum System Two planned for Amaravati) is a 156-qubit superconducting processor designed to reduce error rates through improved qubit connectivity.
- Practical applications include drug discovery and molecular simulation, cryptography and secure communications, optimization problems in logistics and finance, and materials science.
- Current quantum computers are in the Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) era, meaning they have limited qubits and are prone to errors, requiring error correction advances for fault-tolerant computation.
Connection to this news: The Amaravati installation will give Indian researchers and enterprises direct access to IBM's latest quantum hardware, enabling hands-on experimentation in quantum algorithms and applications relevant to sectors like healthcare, defence, and finance.
Quantum Technology Ecosystem Development: Global Context
Several countries have launched national quantum initiatives. The United States allocated over $1.2 billion through the National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018. The European Union launched the Quantum Technologies Flagship programme with a budget of 1 billion euros over 10 years starting in 2018. China has invested heavily in quantum communication, achieving the world's first satellite-based quantum key distribution via the Micius satellite in 2017.
- IBM operates the largest fleet of quantum computers globally and provides cloud-based quantum access through the IBM Quantum Network.
- India's quantum research centres include IISc Bangalore, IIT Madras, TIFR Mumbai, and the Raman Research Institute.
- The Amaravati project also plans two indigenous quantum systems to be launched on April 14, 2026 (World Quantum Day) at SRM University as reference facilities.
- CM Naidu announced plans to manufacture 85% of quantum components domestically for global distribution.
Connection to this news: The Amaravati Quantum Valley represents India's effort to move beyond theoretical research into creating an integrated quantum ecosystem with domestic hardware manufacturing, matching the ecosystem approach adopted by leading quantum nations.
Key Facts & Data
- Amaravati Quantum Valley: 50-acre campus at Uddandarayunipalem, Andhra Pradesh.
- Foundation stone: February 7, 2026, by CM Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh.
- Partners: IBM, TCS, and L&T.
- Quantum computer: IBM Quantum System Two with 156-qubit Heron processor (India's largest).
- Timeline: complex completion by August 2026; quantum computer operational by December 2026.
- National Quantum Mission: approved April 19, 2023; budget Rs. 6,003.65 crore (2023-2031).
- NQM target: 50-1,000 physical qubit quantum computers in 8 years.
- Training pledge: IBM to train 50 lakh youth nationally (10 lakh from AP) in Quantum AI and cybersecurity.
- Over 2.08 lakh students registered for IIT Madras quantum courses.
- India needs approximately 2.5 lakh quantum professionals by 2030.
- Two indigenous quantum systems planned for launch on April 14, 2026 (World Quantum Day).