Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired a meeting of the Maharashtra Advanced Manufacturing and Frontier Technology Institute (FTI) on Saturday, 18 July 2026, calling for the rapid creation of a robust, inclusive ecosystem for quantum computing and deep tech in the state.

Context

Speaking at the FTI meeting, CM Fadnavis underscored the pace of the global technological shift driven by quantum computing and deep tech. He noted that "मानवी इतिहासात इतक्या वेगाने वाढणारे तंत्रज्ञान यापूर्वी कधीही पाहायला मिळाले नाही" — ['no technology in human history has grown at this speed'] — and argued that India must become an active part of this transformation.

The Chief Minister pointed to the scale of the opportunity, stating that the global market for quantum computing and deep tech stood at roughly 2 to 3 trillion US dollars in 2024 and is projected to reach 16 trillion dollars within the next five years. He described artificial intelligence (AI), silicon technology, and quantum computing as world-changing forces that will affect every sector of industry and commerce.

Policy Backdrop

The FTI meeting sits within a broader national push. The Union Cabinet approved India's National Quantum Mission in 2023, committing to build domestic quantum computing capacity over eight years. CM Fadnavis explicitly stressed that Maharashtra's state-level efforts must remain aligned with central government schemes of this kind.

Maharashtra has also pursued semiconductor and electronics manufacturing policies since the early 2020s to position itself as a production hub. The Chief Minister acknowledged that while India has made meaningful progress in frontier technology over the past two to three years, current efforts remain fragmented across multiple levels. He called for "संस्थात्मकीकरण" — [institutionalisation] — of these scattered initiatives to accelerate national progress.

The state body MITRA (Maharashtra Advanced Manufacturing and Frontier Technology Institute-related agency) is already working in this direction, and CM Fadnavis emphasised the need to consolidate all relevant institutions and policies into a single, effective strategic framework for smart manufacturing and deep tech.

Stakeholders and Impact

A key concern raised at the meeting was the limited access that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have to frontier technologies, owing to gaps in funding, technical capacity, and skills. The Chief Minister said the state must develop smart platforms, facilities, and a capable workforce accessible to all, not just large corporations.

Through MITRA, the state government plans to launch a quantum computing trainer-development programme with a target of training at least 5,000 persons in the next two to three years. The state government has also stated it is prepared to make the necessary investment to build new facilities and digital platforms.

On the urban innovation front, CM Fadnavis noted that the state has partnered with the Tata Group for the 'Innovation City' project being developed in Mumbai, with blueprint work currently under way. He said the FTI initiative and the Innovation City concept are complementary and can be coordinated to work in tandem.

What's Next

Experts present at the FTI meeting held detailed discussions on opportunities in quantum computing across research, industry, and skill development. Deepak Karanjeekar, Convener of the Institute, and other dignitaries were in attendance.

The formal launch and funding structure of the Frontier Technology Institute, the rollout of the 5,000-person MITRA training programme, and the coordination outcomes between the proposed institute and Mumbai Innovation City will be closely watched as Maharashtra moves to translate policy intent into institutional reality. The state's ability to align its ecosystem-building with the National Quantum Mission will determine how quickly these ambitions convert into measurable outcomes.