India Leading in Quantum Computing – PM Modi

India is rapidly advancing in the field of quantum computing, positioning itself as a global leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced

India Leading in Quantum Computing – PM Modi

New Delhi, September 26, 2024: India is rapidly advancing in the field of quantum computing, positioning itself as a global leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced during the inauguration of three new supercomputers on Thursday.

Quantum computing, a cutting-edge technology, uses the principles of quantum mechanics to process information in a revolutionary way, making it much faster and more efficient than classical computing.

These new supercomputers have been developed under India’s National Supercomputer Mission, which was launched in 2015. This ₹45 billion ($530 million) initiative is aimed at enhancing the nation’s computing capabilities by building a network of 70 high-performance computing (HPC) systems. Modi emphasized that this mission is crucial for establishing India’s leadership in quantum computing on the global stage.

According to government data, India has already built 28 supercomputing systems with a total processing capacity of 24.83 petaflops (PF), exceeding the initial target of 15-20 PF. The newly launched machines include three 1PF PARAM Rudra supercomputers, developed at a cost of ₹1.3 billion ($15.5 million), as well as two advanced HPC systems tailored for climate and weather research. These will be deployed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata, boosting India’s research capabilities in critical fields.

“In this digital era, computing capacity is becoming synonymous with national capability,” said Prime Minister Modi during the launch event, which he attended via video conference. He further highlighted India’s commitment to leveraging technology to benefit all sections of society, particularly the underprivileged.

Modi emphasized that supercomputers will help farmers and fishermen make informed decisions. Farmers will gain access to global knowledge, improving their farming practices, while fishermen will benefit from insights that reduce risks and offer better access to insurance schemes.

This supercomputing initiative is part of the government's broader push to strengthen India's domestic tech ecosystem, including the development of AI models and semiconductor manufacturing. Last year, India also launched ‘AIRAWAT’, the country's largest and fastest artificial intelligence (AI) system, with a speed of 13,170 teraflops. AIRAWAT is now featured in the global Top 500 list of supercomputers.

While the US and China have led the Top500 list for over a decade, recent trends show India making significant progress in this arena. Meanwhile, China’s participation in the list has declined due to geopolitical tensions, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that Chinese scientists have become more secretive about their technological advancements amid pressures from the US.