25-qubit quantum computing system installed at IIIT-Dharwad, Raichur
The QpiAI-Indus, a 25-qubit superconducting quantum computer developed by Bengaluru-based startup QpiAI, was installed at IIIT-Dharwad and made jointly accessible to IIIT-Raichur under Karnataka's LEAP (Local Excellence in Advancing Platforms) initiative.
The installation is part of India's National Quantum Mission (NQM) and represents one of India's most powerful operational quantum computing platforms.
QpiAI is one of eight startups funded under the National Quantum Mission to develop indigenous quantum hardware, software, and applications.
The system operates at extreme cooling (approximately 10 millikelvin — colder than outer space) using superconducting qubit technology, and is designed to scale to 300 qubits in future configurations.
The computer was developed in April 2025 by QpiAI, making it India's first full-stack quantum computing platform with integrated hardware, control systems, and software.
National Quantum Mission — India's Quantum Technology Drive
India's National Quantum Mission (NQM) was approved by the Union Cabinet on April 19, 2023 with a budget of Rs 6,003.65 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2030-31. The mission aims to develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits; develop quantum communication networks over 2,000 km; advance quantum sensing and metrology; create a robust quantum materials and device ecosystem. The mission is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the National Mission Coordinator. Four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) are to be established at leading academic institutions for quantum computing, communication, sensing, and materials.
Key Details
- NQM budget: Rs 6,003.65 crore (2023-2031).
- Nodal ministry: Department of Science and Technology (DST).
- Key targets: 50-qubit computer by 2025; 1000-qubit computer by 2031.
- Satellite-based secure quantum communication between ground stations over 2,000 km — a target for 2026-2031 phase.
- Eight startups selected under NQM's quantum startup challenge, including QpiAI.
- The mission positions India among the five countries actively developing national quantum computing ecosystems (alongside USA, China, EU, UK).
The QpiAI-Indus installation at IIIT-Dharwad represents the NQM's strategy of deploying quantum hardware at academic institutions to build a skilled workforce — the mission's 'human capital' pillar alongside its technology pillar.
Quantum Computing — Key Concepts for UPSC
A quantum computer harnesses quantum mechanical phenomena — superposition and entanglement — to perform computations that would take classical computers an impractically long time. A qubit (quantum bit), unlike a classical bit (0 or 1), can exist in superposition — simultaneously 0 and 1 — until measured. Entanglement links qubits so that the state of one instantly affects the state of another, regardless of distance. Superconducting qubits (used in QpiAI-Indus) are made from materials that become superconducting at ultra-low temperatures (~10 millikelvin), allowing quantum effects to persist long enough for computation. The advantages of quantum computing are most pronounced for: cryptography (Shor's algorithm can break RSA encryption), optimisation problems, drug discovery (molecular simulation), and weather/climate modelling.
Key Details
- Qubit count (25): The QpiAI-Indus system is in the "Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum" (NISQ) era — useful for research but not yet capable of full error-corrected quantum advantage over classical computers.
- Operating temperature: ~10 millikelvin (−273.14°C) — colder than deep space (approximately 2.7 K).
- Superconducting qubits: The technology used by Google, IBM, and now QpiAI; require dilution refrigerators for cooling.
- Full-stack: QpiAI built both hardware (quantum chip) and software stack (control electronics, compiler, cloud interface) — unlike most Indian efforts that rely on foreign hardware.
- Google claimed "quantum supremacy" in 2019 with a 53-qubit system performing a specific calculation in 200 seconds that would take classical computers 10,000 years.
The QpiAI-Indus 25-qubit system places India's academic and research institutions on the path toward practical quantum computation, reducing reliance on foreign cloud-based quantum services and building domestic expertise.
India's Deep Tech and Startup Ecosystem in Strategic Technologies
India's technology startup ecosystem has expanded significantly into deep tech domains — artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, space, and biotechnology. The NQM's approach of partnering with private startups (like QpiAI) reflects a shift from purely government-institution-led R&D to a public-private innovation model. The government supports this through iQHUB (Innovation and Quantum Computing Hubs) at IITs and IISc, the Quantum Computing Applications Lab (QCAL) operated by C-DAC, and accelerator programmes under Startup India. Karnataka's LEAP initiative — under which this installation took place — is a state-level programme to distribute advanced technology access to emerging tier-2 institutions.
Key Details
- QpiAI: A Bengaluru-based deep tech startup; backed by NQM's startup challenge.
- C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing): India's premier government body for high-performance computing; also working on quantum computing.
- Karnataka LEAP initiative: Places advanced computing resources at IIITs in smaller cities (Dharwad, Raichur) to democratise access.
- IIIT-Dharwad and IIIT-Raichur: Institutions of national importance established under the IIIT (Amendment) Act, 2020.
- The NQM mandates technology transfer and commercialisation from T-Hubs to industry, ensuring research translates to real-world applications.
The installation at a second-tier academic institution demonstrates the NQM's goal of distributing quantum capability beyond IITs and IISc, building a broader talent pipeline for India's quantum workforce.
- System: QpiAI-Indus — 25-qubit superconducting quantum computer.
- Developer: QpiAI (Bengaluru-based startup); developed April 2025.
- Location: IIIT-Dharwad (primary); jointly accessible by IIIT-Raichur.
- Technology: Superconducting qubits; operating temperature ~10 millikelvin.
- Scale-up potential: Designed to reach 300 qubits in future configurations.
- Mission framework: National Quantum Mission (NQM), approved April 2023.
- NQM budget: Rs 6,003.65 crore (2023-2031).
- NQM nodal ministry: Department of Science and Technology (DST).
- Karnataka initiative: LEAP (Local Excellence in Advancing Platforms).
- NQM startup partners: 8 startups including QpiAI.
- QpiAI-Indus classification: Full-stack quantum platform (hardware + software).