Quantum Computing Heats Up Interstate Rivalry: Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Vie for Tech Supremacy

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A new front has opened in the economic rivalry between the South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, this time over the nascent yet critical field of quantum computing. Following previous tussles for dominance in the aerospace sector, both states are now laying claim to hosting India’s first operational indigenous quantum computer, sparking a war of words between their respective government officials.

The latest salvo was fired by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who announced on July 24 that Amaravati is set to deploy “India’s first indigenously built 8-qubit quantum computer” by November. This initiative, supported by Bengaluru-based firm QpiAI and under the National Quantum Mission, aims to leverage quantum technology for advancements in agriculture, water management, and healthcare within the state. Andhra Pradesh has also launched a broader “Quantum Valley” initiative in Amaravati, with plans for a 50-acre tech park and the installation of an IBM 156-qubit Quantum System Two by January 2026, positioning itself as a leader in the global quantum landscape.

However, this claim was swiftly countered by Karnataka’s Minister for Science and Technology, N.S. Boseraju. On July 25, Boseraju clarified that QpiAI’s first homegrown quantum computer, a 25-qubit system named “INDUS,” has already been commercially operational in Bengaluru since April. “For the record: India’s first Quantum computer built indigenously by QpiAI right here in Bengaluru, Karnataka, began its commercial operations in April 2025,” Boseraju stated, asserting Karnataka’s leading position in quantum innovation and its role as an “epicenter of India’s quantum future.” Karnataka also boasts India’s first Quantum Research Park at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, with significant state funding for its development.

This competition mirrors a similar dispute over aerospace manufacturing supremacy, where both states have actively courted investments. Recently, after Karnataka faced land acquisition issues for an aerospace park near Bengaluru, Andhra Pradesh’s IT Minister Nara Lokesh extended an open invitation to aerospace firms, highlighting Andhra’s attractive policies and available land. Karnataka, in turn, emphasized its established ecosystem and skilled workforce as key advantages.

The burgeoning rivalry highlights the strategic importance states place on emerging technologies like quantum computing for future economic growth and high-skilled job creation. As the central government’s National Quantum Mission seeks to propel India to the forefront of quantum technology, the competition between these technologically ambitious states is likely to intensify, pushing the boundaries of indigenous innovation. The coming months will reveal how these claims translate into tangible progress and which state truly establishes itself as a dominant force in India’s quantum future.