Kolkata : India’s growing leadership in frontier quantum research took centre stage with the conclusion of the International Conference on Quantum Information Science and Technology (ICQIST 2025), hosted by TCG CREST. Organised as part of the United Nations–declared International Year of Quantum, the five-day conference brought together global leaders in quantum science, industry practitioners, and young researchers to examine advances shaping the future of quantum technologies.
ICQIST 2025 saw participation from over 180 delegates representing more than 15 countries, including India. The audience comprised senior faculty members, PhD scholars, post-doctoral researchers, industry professionals, and graduate and postgraduate students, reflecting the conference’s emphasis on building a complete and interconnected quantum ecosystem spanning research, engineering, and applications.
“ICQIST 2025 was deliberately designed to bring together the full spectrum of the quantum ecosystem—from foundational theorists and experimentalists to engineers, industry practitioners, and students,” said Prof. Bhanu Pratap Das, Director, Centre for Quantum Engineering, Research and Education (CQuERE), TCG CREST. “The diversity of participation and depth of discussion reflect how rapidly quantum science is evolving from a largely academic pursuit into a field with real technological and societal impact.”
A central theme that emerged across discussions was the global push toward fault-tolerant and scalable quantum computing. Presentations highlighted progress in both neutral-atom and superconducting quantum computing platforms, alongside advances in quantum error-correction techniques that are essential for reliable, large-scale computation. Speakers also discussed the growing relevance of hybrid GPU–QPU architectures as a practical pathway for near-term quantum applications.
Industry-focused sessions offered candid perspectives on the challenges of scaling quantum technologies, particularly in hardware stability, control electronics, and systems engineering. These discussions underscored the gap between experimental proof-of-concept systems and deployable quantum machines, while identifying areas where closer collaboration between academia and industry could meaningfully accelerate progress.
“India is now making a clear transition from aspiration to execution in quantum science,” said Malabika Sarkar, Mentor, TCG CREST. “By investing in research infrastructure, nurturing talent, and enabling global collaboration, platforms such as ICQIST are helping position India as a contributor to core quantum research that will shape how these technologies evolve worldwide.”
Participants also visited CQuERE’s state-of-the-art quantum research laboratories, gaining direct exposure to India’s experimental capabilities. These interactions fostered early-stage discussions on collaborative research initiatives between Indian and international institutions, particularly in the areas of quantum hardware development and error-correction strategies.
By convening global experts alongside early-career researchers and students, ICQIST 2025 reinforced India’s intent to play a meaningful role in shaping the global quantum research agenda. As quantum technologies move closer to real-world deployment, forums such as ICQIST are increasingly critical for aligning foundational science, engineering realities, and industry expectations, an alignment that ICQIST 2025 sought to advance from Kolkata.
