Kolkata hosts pioneering quantum science conference ICEQSM 2025
Times of India | 18 September 2025Held at the Bose Institute Auditorium and organized by CQuERE, TCG CREST, the four-day conference celebrated the United Nations’ International Year of Quantum Science and Technology and aligned with India’s National Quantum Mission launched in 2024.
ICEQSM 2025 served as a dynamic platform for bridging the gap between cutting-edge quantum science and its practical applications. The event featured sessions on atom-based, solid-state, and light-based quantum sensors, alongside discussions on the theoretical underpinnings of quantum metrology.
Industry-academia panels, technology showcases, and roundtable discussions facilitated innovation and technology transfer, fostering collaboration between researchers and industry stakeholders.
A key focus of the conference was the integration of quantum technologies into everyday life. Experts highlighted applications such as enhancing GPS navigation precision, improving medical imaging technologies like MRI, and advancing solutions in defense, climate monitoring, and precision agriculture.
Future-oriented topics, including quantum radar and quantum-enhanced inertial navigation systems, were also explored, showcasing the next wave of innovation.
The conference's academic significance was underscored by Wiley-sponsored awards for outstanding oral and poster presentations. Select works from participants were published in a Wiley multi-journal special collection, featuring prominent titles such as Advanced Quantum Technologies and Annalen der Physik.
Additionally, investment roundtables and venture capital matchmaking sessions provided quantum-focused start-ups with opportunities to connect with global investors.
Supported by institutions like ISRO and ANRF, along with several corporate partners, ICEQSM 2025 emphasized the importance of aligning scientific exploration with national priorities, such as the National Quantum Mission. The event highlighted India’s contributions to the field, encouraged global collaborations, and inspired young researchers, marking a significant step towards translating quantum research into technologies that will shape everyday human experiences.
Suprakash Das, Director Finance & Operations (CFO) at TCG CREST, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “What excited me about ICEQSM 2025 was seeing complex quantum science connect with everyday problems people actually care about. Hosting this in Kolkata showed how far India has come in building a place where researchers, companies, and students could learn from one another and build something meaningful together.
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Dr. Tanmoy Basu, Assistant Professor at TCG CREST and a contributor to the National Quantum Mission, highlighted the conference's impact, saying, “ICEQSM 2025 showed how quantum science is moving beyond theory into solutions that affect everyday lives. From navigation to healthcare, the possibilities are immense.”
Dr. Aishik Acharya, Senior Scientist at TCG CREST, remarked on the conference's success in bridging academia, industry, and start-ups, while Dr.
Shibdas Roy, Assistant Professor at TCG CREST, emphasized the centrality of quantum sensing and metrology to the future of technology.
ICEQSM 2025 not only showcased India’s growing role in global quantum research and innovation but also reinforced the country's commitment to advancing quantum technologies that promise to transform various sectors and improve quality of life worldwide.
