India officially joined the race for quantum computing five years ago with the establishment of the National Mission for Quantum Technology and Applications (NMQTA), but public investment in this emerging field of technology is still far less than that of nations like China, Germany, the UK, the USA, South Korea, and France.
India ranks 12th in the world with a public investment of $735 million (more than Rs 6,003 crore), according to the first edition of the International Technology Engagement Strategy for Quantum (ITES-Q), which was presented to the government on Monday in honor of World Quantum Day 2025 by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA). China, on the other hand, has invested $15.3 billion thus far, making it the leader.
However, with 53 businesses, India ranks sixth globally in terms of quantum science and technology (QST) startups. With 309 startups, the US leads, followed by China (63), Germany (110), the UK (92), and Canada (56).
The US got the most private investments, according to a country-by-country review of investment distribution. This is likely due to the high number of startups in the US. According to PSA Ajay Kumar Sood’s strategy paper, the US has received around $6.9 billion in quantum money. This is more than four and a half times the investment made in the UK, which came in second with $1.44 billion. India, on the other hand, only got $30 million in private investment.
An important phase in defining India’s external strategy in Quantum Science, Technology, and Innovation (QSTI) is the strategy report. The goal is to lessen India’s reliance on imports and increase investment in quantum hardware.
Speaking on the sector’s weaknesses and possibilities for India in a podcast on the occasion, Sood acknowledged that the nation has to de-risk investment and bring in a lot more money for startups, which implies that product marketplaces must be established. “And this is where all the players, be it govt, private sectors, academia, or startups, play a role to create this ecosystem,” he said.
“We need to be an active player in defining the global standards for Quantum Tech. This is a gap we need to fill. Because once we have that, we will also play a role in standardisation efforts, and that is what leads to strategic autonomy. We have to do that very proactively and ensure that we have these global standards because our market is not only the Indian market but global,” said Sood.
The first edition of ITES-Q offers a thorough review of national and international quantum ecosystems, including supply chains, startups, intellectual property, research publications, institutional strengths, talent development, investments, and industrial activities.
“The ITES-Q is thought out to facilitate impactful partnerships and particularly add value to the efforts of Indian missions abroad in strengthening bilateral and multilateral engagements for QSTI,” said a statement from the Office of the PSA.
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