By Desaraju Surya
AMARAVATI: The Andhra Pradesh government has unveiled a pentagonal vision for its ambitious State Quantum Mission (SQM) to ‘unlock societal and economic progress through transformative quantum technologies’ by the year 2030.
Beginning now, with the building of necessary infrastructure in the upcoming Quantum Valley in Amaravati, the pentagonal vision is aimed at positioning Andhra Pradesh as a global destination for quantum computing technologies and establishing export capabilities over the next five years.
Amaravati will find its place on the global quantum computing map when the DeepTech Research Park, commonly called Quantum Valley, becomes operational in January 2026.
While quantum computing is the central theme and anchor of the initiative, the Amaravati Quantum Valley is designed as a multi-disciplinary deeptech ecosystem. It will support and attract a wide range of advanced technology sectors that intersect with, or complement, quantum technologies.
Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, Supercomputing, Cybersecurity and Cryptography, Defence and Space Tech and Advanced Materials and Photonics will be the major advanced technology support systems for quantum physics.
IBM and TCS are the lead partners that have signed up with the AP government to set up the Quantum Valley in Amaravati and drive the SQM, which will also be aligned with the National Quantum Mission launched by the Government of India in April 2023.
The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, Purdue University (USA) and University of Tokyo (Japan) are the leading global academic institutions that will collaborate in the DeepTech Research Park and foster international research collaborations and academic exchanges.
Andhra Pradesh will act as a pilot state for deploying quantum-enabled public
infrastructure.
AP hopes to gain the early-mover advantage and attract investments in SEZs and innovation corridors where research and development institutions and industrial units are expected to come up.
Quantum Technology Innovation Hubs are also planned at different locations to nurture talent.
The mission’s budget is estimated at Rs 2,000 crore over five years and the state government will provide capital for infrastructure and incentives.
“The objective is to create a knowledge and technology hub that brings together academic institutions, startups, global technology providers, and research labs focused on quantum computing, other quantum technologies and deep technologies,” the Information Technology, Electronics and Communication Department Secretary Katamneni Bhaskar noted.
The ITE&C Department has drawn up a strategic roadmap with timelines to achieve the SQM objectives in two phases between 2025 and 2030.
In the Phase-I (2025–2027), emphasis will be on building the quantum computing infrastructure and also creating large-scale test-beds and enabling industry collaborations. The focus will also be on laying foundational infrastructure, launching education programmes and initiating research projects in collaboration with national and international partners.
The goal, in Phase-II from 2027 to 2030, is to transition to global leadership in select domains by developing commercial quantum technologies, establishing export capabilities and positioning Andhra Pradesh as a global quantum destination.
The ultimate objective of SQM is to enhance AP’s economic base by strengthening knowledge economy and effectively using transformative quantum technologies to drive progress on various fronts.