AICTE Announces India’s First UG Minor Programme In Quantum Technologies

NEW DELHI: All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), in collaboration with National Quantum Mission (NQM) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has launched India’s first ever undergraduate minor programme in Quantum Technologies.

The programme aims to prepare a workforce, positioning India as a global leader in cutting-edge quantum innovation.

The UG Minor Programme in Quantum Technologies aims to bridge the gap between the academia and industry by addressing the strategic and multidisciplinary needs of the quantum ecosystem.

The programme spans four verticals—Quantum Computation and Simulation, Quantum Communication and Cryptography, Quantum Sensing, and Quantum Materials and Devices.

Salient features

• Flexible: Students can select 18 credits from a pool of over 30 credits, allowing institutions to adapt the programme as per their resources.
• Interdisciplinary approach: The programme is open for students from all engineering disciplines, starting from their third or fourth semester.
• Faculty development: A Dedicated Faculty Development Programs (FDPs) by AICTE and leading institutions like IITs, IISERs will support teachers in delivering high-quality quantum education.

The programme was launched in the presence of dignitaries and thought leaders including Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairperson, AICTE; Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST; Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman, Mission Governing Board, National Quantum Mission; Prof. A.K. Sood, Office of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India; and Prof. Arindam Ghosh, Chairman, Curriculum Drafting Committee.

“Quantum technology will redefine computing, communication, and sensing. Through this curriculum, we aim to nurture a skilled workforce that can drive innovation and fulfill the goals of the National Quantum Mission. AICTE’s initiatives, including mandatory internships and IDEA Labs, complement this endeavor to create a robust, quantum-ready talent pool,” said AICTE Chairperson T.G. Sitharam.

“Our curriculum is ready and hopefully it will be included from next July session in all top institutions,” he added.

Proposed course structure

• Minimum credits to fulfil – 18
• A 3.0.0 course has three theory lectures per week and considering an average length of 14 weeks for a semester
• A 3:0 course amounts to at least 36 hours of lectures (considering holidays, exam days, etc).
• A n:m lab course has n hours of lectures and m sessions (3 hours each) of lab per week.

Quantum lab

“For the success of the programme, training of teachers and basic lab infrastructure will also be required. National Quantum Mission will support creation of teaching labs in some select institutions and will work with AICTE for faculty development,” DST Secretary Professor Abhay Karandikar said.

Apart from this course, National Quantum Mission in collaboration with AICTE is also planning to support writing of books for the course and quantum awareness programmes.