NEW DELHI: In a major boost to India’s quantum technology ambitions, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV) — India’s first and largest planned integrated quantum technology ecosystem. The project aims to position Amaravati among the world’s top global quantum hubs through collaborations with IBM, TCS, L&T, and more than 50 global technology and research partners.

The foundation ceremony was attended by Union Minister of State for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Sri Nara Lokesh, and senior leaders from IBM India, TCS, L&T, IIT Madras, and other institutions. Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled the foundation plaque during the event.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Naidu said Andhra Pradesh aims to lead the global quantum revolution, declaring that Amaravati would become a hub for world-class quantum solutions and innovation.

India’s first integrated quantum ecosystem

Amaravati Quantum Valley is designed as a comprehensive ecosystem where quantum hardware deployment, software development, algorithm optimization, and talent development will take place within a single integrated campus. Subject to regulatory approvals from the United States government, AQV plans to host an IBM Quantum System Two, which could become India’s most advanced IBM quantum computer.

With participation from over 50 organizations — including IBM, TCS, L&T, CDAC, CDOT, IITs, and emerging quantum startups — the initiative aims to become one of the world’s top five quantum technology hubs.

Major announcements at the foundation ceremony

Several initiatives were launched alongside the foundation stone laying:

• IBM Quantum via TCS Cloud Services: TCS and IBM announced cloud-based access to IBM quantum computers across India, allowing researchers and enterprises to run quantum algorithms using systems offering access to over 100 qubits.

• AQV Quantum Innovation Center: Led by IIT Tirupati and IIT Madras, the center will focus on applications such as drug discovery, materials science, supply chain optimization, cryptography, and sustainable manufacturing.

• Quantum-Safe Security Demonstration: QClairvoyance Quantum Labs showcased India’s first live demonstration of post-quantum cryptography solutions for government and enterprise security.

• Quantum Talent Hub: WISER and Vanguard announced a workforce development center building on a programme that has trained over 50,000 students, with 51% women participation.

• Brand unveiling and hackathon awards: The AQV logo was launched, and winners of a national quantum hackathon were felicitated.

National strategic importance

The Amaravati Quantum Valley aligns with India’s ?6,000 crore National Quantum Mission. Dr. Jitendra Singh said the project represents an integrated national effort to make India a global quantum superpower and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood described AQV as a national anchor for quantum technology development across computing, communications, and sensing.

Industry participation

IBM India Managing Director Sandip Patel said the company is exploring bringing advanced quantum computing capabilities to Amaravati to support research and enterprise innovation. TCS, a founding partner, highlighted its role in expanding cloud-based quantum access, developing applications, and fostering industry-academia collaboration through its COIN™ ecosystem.

Ecosystem already operational

Demonstrating rapid progress, 600 plug-and-play seats at Medha Towers IT Park are already operational, with quantum startups and companies beginning work. Chief Minister Naidu interacted with companies at the site following the ceremony to review ongoing projects.

Amaravati Quantum Valley at a glance

• Planned deployment of IBM Quantum System Two

• 50+ partner organizations including IBM, TCS, L&T, CDAC, and CDOT

• 50,000+ students trained through the WISER Quantum Programme

• 100,000+ NPTEL registrations for quantum technology courses

• Over 1 lakh high-value jobs projected by 2030

The foundation of Amaravati Quantum Valley marks a significant step in India’s push to become a global leader in quantum technologies, signalling the beginning of what leaders described as the country’s “quantum decade.”