Vani Jha
On 25 November 2025, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) announced that 100 engineering colleges across India will receive financial assistance of ₹1 crore each to set up quantum teaching laboratories. The scheme, declared during an event at IIT Bombay, aims to create infrastructure for undergraduate minor programs in quantum technology. Over 500 proposals were received of those, 100 institutes will be selected.
Why This Matters: A Boost to the Quantum Ecosystem
The move comes under the ambit of the National Quantum Mission, and marks a major push to build a robust quantum-technology ecosystem. By enabling undergraduate-level quantum education, the government hopes to nurture a new generation of engineers and researchers grounded in quantum computing, quantum sensing, and related fields.
The labs are not just about classrooms; they will enable hands-on exposure to quantum concepts, experiments, and technologies a strong foundation for advanced study and innovation. This could democratize access to quantum education beyond a few elite institutes, potentially opening doors for students from a wide range of engineering colleges.
Parallel Investments in Quantum Fabrication and Research
Alongside teaching labs, the government has sanctioned a massive ₹720 crore investment to establish central quantum fabrication and research facilities at institutes like IIT Bombay and IISc Bengaluru. Additional smaller facilities are planned for IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur.
These facilities aim to indigenise the fabrication of quantum computing chips, quantum sensors, and other related hardware reducing dependence on foreign infrastructure and speeding up development cycles.
Importantly, the plan also includes strengthening cryogenics infrastructure, which is critical for quantum experiments, superconductivity research, and advanced imaging techniques (like cryo-electron microscopy). A helium recovery system is expected to bring down cryogenic costs significantly, making experiments more affordable and scalable.
What This Means for Students, Colleges, and the Nation
For Students and Colleges:
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Access to quantum education: Students of participating colleges can now get exposure to quantum science at the undergraduate level something previously restricted to top-tier institutes.
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Faculty and course readiness: With funding covering not only lab setup but also course design and faculty development, institutions can start offering quantum-focused electives or minor programs.
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Research and innovation opportunities: Given the link with the central fabrication facilities, ambitious students may engage in hands-on research, chip design, quantum sensors, and related projects bridging the gap between education and real-world technology development.
For India’s Tech & Innovation Ecosystem:
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Democratizing quantum talent: By spreading quantum labs across 100 colleges, the initiative broadens the talent pool, potentially producing more skilled graduates nationwide.
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Boost to self-reliance: Indigenous fabrication facilities reduce reliance on overseas infrastructure — strengthening national capabilities in hardware.
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Support for startups and industry: As labs become operational, academia-industry collaboration could grow; startups and MSMEs may access central fabrication facilities for prototyping and small-scale production.
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Advancement in key domains: Quantum computing, sensing, photonics, superconductivity, cryogenics all stand to advance. This could have downstream impact in healthcare, materials science, secure communication, and more.
Challenges and Things to Watch
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Selection and quality assurance: With over 500 proposals received, selection will be competitive. Ensuring that the 100 selected colleges have adequate faculty, lab-management capabilities, and long-term commitment will be crucial.
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Sustainability beyond funding: Setting up a lab is one thing but maintaining, updating equipment, and sustaining research demands resources, trained faculty, and consistent institutional support.
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Bridging to advanced research: While undergraduate labs are a major step, transitioning talented students to high-end research or industry demands clearer pathways: internships, collaborations, and integration with central fabrication hubs.
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Inclusive access: Colleges from smaller towns or less privileged regions must be supported to ensure broad-based benefit; otherwise, there’s a risk of reinforcing existing inequalities.
Conclusion: A Quantum Leap Forward for India’s Engineering Education
The decision to fund 100 quantum teaching labs is a bold and visionary step one that could fundamentally reshape how quantum science is taught, studied, and applied across India. By coupling widespread educational access with deep investments in fabrication infrastructure, the government is laying the foundation for a vibrant ecosystem.
For engineering students, this opens pathways previously reserved for elite institutions: quantum computing, sensing, cryogenics, and more. For the nation, it represents a push toward self-reliance in future technologies, and the potential to emerge as a global player in innovation.
If implemented with care, commitment, and inclusivity, this initiative could well mark the beginning of India’s quantum renaissance a leap not just in technology, but in vision.