Building a Quantum Workforce: A Competency Framework for Universities and Global Capability Centres in India

National ambitions in quantum technologies depend on people. India's National Quantum Mission, its large engineering education system and the rapid growth of global capability centres (GCCs) create both a need and an opportunity to build a quantum-ready workforce at scale. Most existing quantum education, however, is concentrated in physics departments at a small number of institutions, while industry needs a much wider mix of skills — from quantum hardware and software to cryptography, product management and policy. This paper proposes a tiered competency framework for the Indian quantum workforce, organised into six levels from general awareness (L0) to research leadership (L5) and five role families (hardware and devices, software and algorithms, quantum-safe security, applications and domain integration, and business, policy and governance). It maps the framework to delivery models suitable for Indian universities, including multidisciplinary electives, faculty development, centres of excellence and industry-linked projects, and to upskilling programmes for GCCs and government. It closes with recommendations on curriculum, faculty capacity, access to hardware, assessment and partnerships. The framework draws on international studies of quantum industry needs and on the author's experience in capacity building for public and private institutions; it is a design proposal rather than an empirical study.