Quantum computing has long been a topic of fascination, but 2025 is showing signs that it is moving from theoretical promise to real-world impact. According to McKinsey’s Quantum Technology Monitor, investment in quantum technologies—including computing, sensing, and communication—surged in 2024, and the industry could generate nearly US $100 billion in revenue by 2035. The majority of this growth is expected to come from quantum computing itself.

One of the biggest technical challenges, error correction, is now seeing measurable progress. Google’s “Willow” processor demonstrated error-suppression scaling and completed a benchmark task that would take classical supercomputers unimaginable time. While still in the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era, this represents a shift toward more reliable quantum hardware. New qubit architectures are also gaining traction. A Quantum computing company, Alice & Bob, is pioneering the use of cat qubits, inspired by Schrödinger’s cat, to reduce certain types of quantum errors and increase coherence times. Photonic qubits and integrated photonic quantum technologies are also being developed as promising alternatives for building more scalable systems.

India has launched the National Quantum Mission, backed by significant government funding, to accelerate R&D in quantum technologies. Collaborations between premier institutions and start-ups are expanding, with research focusing on quantum communication, secure networks, and building indigenous quantum hardware. This growing ecosystem is positioning India as an emerging hub for quantum innovation in Asia.

Potential applications are starting to emerge in industries where complex problems overwhelm classical machines. These include drug discovery, materials science, financial optimization, supply chain management, and energy solutions. Google recently suggested that within the next five years, commercial applications of quantum computing can be seen in pharmaceuticals, energy, and materials innovation. At the same time, quantum communication is gaining attention for its potential to enhance cybersecurity in a future where classical encryption could be vulnerable to quantum decryption methods.

Despite challenges in scaling qubit numbers, reducing error rates, and creating practical algorithms, progress is undeniable. With each breakthrough, quantum computing moves closer to reshaping industries and driving the next wave of innovation worldwide.