Media Release
Bengaluru, Mar 6: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), is an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University, formally instituted Quantum-Hub@MAHE (Q-HUB@MAHE) at Manipal Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, a university-led indigenous quantum hardware and open-architecture ecosystem aligned with the objectives of India’s National Quantum Mission.
Conceived as an integrated design-to-deployment platform, Q-HUB@MAHE brings together quantum hardware experimentation, Deep-Tech startup incubation, component innovation, workforce development, testing infrastructure, and translational research within a unified academic framework. The initiative is structured to strengthen India’s sovereign capability across the quantum value chain.
As part of this multi-campus deep-tech strategy, Manipal Institute of Technology, Bengaluru (MIT-BLR) will serve as the operational anchor for advanced hardware experimentation, cryogenic and RF infrastructure, and structured quantum engineering education and training.
The facility will commence operations with 25-qubit dilution refrigeration (DR) open-architecture system designed for advanced training and experimentation. This marks the first phase of a structured roadmap progressing from sub-50 qubit training systems to 50–150 qubit proof-of-concept platforms and ultimately toward 150–1,000+ qubit industrial-grade quantum product systems.
Unlike access-based or vendor-locked deployments, Q-HUB@MAHE has been designed as an open-architecture ecosystem supporting indigenous component development, calibration systems, hardware integration, and scalable manufacturing pathways. The long-term vision includes indigenous Quantum Processing Unit (QPU) development, system miniaturisation, and industry-ready quantum hardware platforms.
The initiative was formalised through Memorandums of Agreement (MoA) with QuantrolOx (Finland) in association with Bluefors (Finland), QBLOX (Netherlands), ConScience (Sweden), Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.
These collaborations establish a structured year-1 roadmap focused on workforce development, hardware experimentation, IP co-development, and national testing infrastructure aligned with the strategic pillars of the National Quantum Mission.
Q-HUB@MAHE has set a target of training 100 quantum engineers by December 2026 through a structured certification programme combining online modules, assessments, and hands-on laboratory immersion. The centre will also function as a national testing and measurement gateway, enabling researchers, startups, and industry partners to access advanced infrastructure. The physical facility is scheduled for inauguration in September 2026.
Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, vice chancellor, MAHE said, “Q-Hub@MAHE reflects our commitment to building sovereign scientific capability aligned with the vision of the National Quantum Mission. By integrating research, hardware development, and workforce training within one ecosystem, we aim to contribute meaningfully to India’s leadership in advanced quantum technologies.”
Prof (Dr) Madhu Veeraraghavan, pro vice chancellor, MAHE Bengaluru added, “With MIT Bengaluru serving as the operational centre, Q-HUB@MAHE will catalyse interdisciplinary collaboration, deep-tech entrepreneurship, and translational research. Our focus is to move from academic exploration to manufacturable quantum systems with real-world impact.”
Prof Iven Jose, director, MIT Bengaluru explained, “Access to real quantum hardware, cryogenic systems, and RF infrastructure ensures that our students and researchers are not merely technology users but system builders. This is essential for developing India’s next generation of quantum engineers through the Manipal House of Quantum.”
Vishal, QuantrolOx, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Q-Hub@MAHE in advancing calibration and automation capabilities within an open-architecture framework.”
Dr Sudarshan, C-DAC, said, “The objectives of Q-Hub@MAHE align closely with the National Quantum Mission’s priorities of supporting supply chain, creating deep-tech entrepreneurs and workforce creation.”
Dr David Gunnarson, CTO, Bluefors, Finland, said, “We are pleased to support Q-Hub@MAHE in establishing advanced cryogenic infrastructure for quantum hardware experimentation and scalable quantum systems.”
Dr Niels Bultink, QBLOX, said, “This partnership supports scalable quantum control systems development in an academic-manufacturing ecosystem.”
Dr Marcus Rommel, ConScience, said, “Q-Hub@MAHE strengthens advanced quantum infrastructure with testing and characterization of different Quantum Processing Units (QPU) within India’s growing ecosystem.”
Manipal House of quantum: Driving national quantum excellence
1. Quantum-Hub@MAHE
India’s university-led indigenous quantum hardware and open-architecture ecosystem integrating design, experimentation, manufacturing pathways, testing, and application development within a unified academic framework.
It is aligned with the objectives of the National Quantum Mission.
2. Structural differentiation
Q-Hub@MAHE [Q-HUB@MAHE] is:
• Open-architecture and technology-agnostic
• Focused on indigenous component development
• Supported by on-premises cryogenic and RF infrastructure
• Manufacturing-oriented beyond thesis-driven research
• Not a hosted deployment
• Not vendor-locked
3. Technical roadmap
Qubit range - Strategic objective
Under 50 - Training & familiarisation
50–150 - Proof-of-concept systems
150–1,000+ - Industrial-grade quantum product systems
Initial System: 25-qubit dilution refrigeration (DR) open-architecture platform
4. Year-1 deliverables
• Target: 100 trained quantum engineers (by December 2026)
• Structured certification & laboratory immersion
• Hardware experimentation platform
• IP co-development framework
• National testing & measurement gateway
5. Long-term vision
• Indigenous Quantum Processing Unit (QPU) development
• Miniaturisation and scalable hardware systems
• Deep-tech startup incubation
• Industry co-innovation platforms
• Integration