Why in the News?

Itihaasa, a non-profit organization, has recently published an assessment of India’s National Quantum Mission.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About National Quantum Mission (Basics, Objectives, Focus Areas, Significance, etc.)
• News Summary

About National Quantum Mission:

• Union Cabinet approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) in April 2023 at a total cost of 6000crores from 2023-24 to 2030-31.
• The mission aims to seed, nurture, and scale up scientific and industrial R&D, creating a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT).
• This initiative will accelerate QT-led economic growth, foster the ecosystem in the country, and position India as one of the leading nations in the development of Quantum Technologies & Applications (QTA).

Mission Objectives:

• Developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits within 8 years using various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology.
• Satellite-based secure quantum communications between ground stations over a range of 2000 kilometres within India.
• Long-distance secure quantum communications with other countries.
• Inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km.
• Multi-node quantum networks with quantum memories.

Focus Areas:

• Developing magnetometers with high sensitivity in atomic systems.
• Creating atomic clocks for precision timing, communications, and navigation.
• Supporting the design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor structures, and topological materials for the fabrication of quantum devices.
• Developing single photon sources/detectors and entangled photon sources for quantum communications, sensing, and metrological applications.

Mission Implementation:

• The mission implementation includes the establishment of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in top academic and National R&D institutes in the following domains:
  • Quantum Computing
  • Quantum Communication
  • Quantum Sensing & Metrology
  • Quantum Materials & Devices
• These hubs will focus on generating new knowledge through basic and applied research and promoting R&D in their respective areas.

Impact & Significance:

• NQM has the potential to elevate the country's technology development ecosystem to a level of global competitiveness.
• The mission will greatly benefit various sectors including communication, health, financial, and energy, with applications in drug design, space, banking, security, etc.
• The mission will also provide a significant boost to national priorities such as Digital India, Make in India, Skill India, Stand-up India, Start-up India, Self-reliant India, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Assessment report of National Quantum Mission:

• Itihaasa, a non-profit organization, has recently published an assessment of India’s National Quantum Mission.
• As per the assessment, India may have done the right thing by launching a Rs 6,000 crore-worth National Quantum Mission to develop some of the most sought-after technologies for the future.
• The assessment shows that India was just one among 17 countries to have a dedicated government programme to back research in quantum technologies, and one of the 12 to have committed separate investments for the purpose.
• However, the report cautions that India would have to overcome a significantly large gap that currently exists between its capabilities and those of other leading countries in these areas like the United States and China.
  • India’s Spending = USD 0.75 billion
  • China’s Spending = USD 15 billion
  • United States’ Spending = USD 3.75 billion
• India was far behind of the United States and China in terms of patents obtained in quantum technologies till now, and in publications in top journals.
• The assessment report found about 110-145 Indian researchers, at the principal investigator level, already working on quantum technologies at major laboratories and institutions.
• About 75-100 Post-docs and 300-400 PhD students were working with them. In addition, there were about 50-100 MTech students in different areas related to quantum technologies.
• Also, India was producing the highest number of graduates in areas related to quantum technologies, the assessment found.