Introduction
US-based quantum computing firm Rigetti Computing has announced a significant international milestone with a confirmed $8.4 million purchase order from India’s Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). The deal marks the deployment of a 108-qubit on-premises quantum computer at C-DAC’s Bengaluru facility, reinforcing India’s ambitions in advanced quantum and hybrid supercomputing.
Background and Strategic Context
The order has been placed through Rigetti Computing India Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rigetti Computing, Inc., which is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker RGTI. C-DAC operates under India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and serves as a cornerstone institution for national high-performance computing and emerging technology research.
The deployment is scheduled for the second half of 2026 and represents one of the most advanced on-premises quantum systems to be installed within an Indian government research infrastructure.
Technical Details of the Quantum System
The 108-qubit quantum computer will be based on Rigetti’s proprietary chiplet-based architecture, a design approach intended to address one of the core challenges in quantum computing: scalable fault-tolerant systems.
Key technical highlights include:
- Superconducting qubit technology with gate speeds in the range of 50 to 70 nanoseconds
- Modular, open architecture enabling deep integration with classical high-performance computing environments
- Designed to support future error correction and large-scale quantum workloads
This architecture is considered foundational for building practical, large-qubit quantum systems capable of real-world scientific and industrial applications.
Timeline of Events
- September 2025: Rigetti and C-DAC signed a memorandum of understanding to explore co-development of hybrid quantum computing platforms
- 2026 (second half): Planned installation and commissioning of the 108-qubit system at C-DAC’s Bengaluru supercomputing center
Partnership Significance
According to Rigetti leadership, this system will be the first quantum computer to be installed and integrated directly into C-DAC’s supercomputing data center. The initiative is expected to enable hands-on research across government laboratories, academic institutions, and industrial partners working on hybrid classical-quantum workloads.
The project aligns closely with C-DAC’s Hybrid HPC-Quantum Mission, which focuses on enabling quantum accelerators, national reference facilities, and quantum middleware and software stacks for mission-critical applications.
Impact and Scope
This deployment highlights several broader industry trends:
- Growing preference by governments for on-premises quantum systems over cloud-only access
- Increased national investment in sovereign quantum infrastructure
- Rising demand for hybrid HPC-quantum architectures in scientific research
For Rigetti, the deal further validates its chiplet-based strategy and strengthens its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.
Expert Commentary
From a technology risk and infrastructure perspective, on-premises quantum systems provide governments with greater control over data sovereignty, system security, and long-term R&D flexibility. The collaboration between Rigetti and C-DAC demonstrates how modular quantum platforms can be integrated into national supercomputing environments without compromising operational independence.
Outlook
As quantum computing transitions from experimental labs into production-grade research environments, partnerships like this are expected to accelerate. The successful deployment at C-DAC could serve as a reference model for future government-led quantum installations across emerging and developed economies.
Sources
- Rigetti Computing (Official Website):
https://www.rigetti.com/ - Rigetti Computing Investor Relations (NASDAQ: RGTI):
https://investors.rigetti.com/ - Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services (QCS):
https://www.rigetti.com/qcs - Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC):
https://www.cdac.in/
