New Delhi: The Central Government on Wednesday (April 19) approved the National Quantum Mission with a budget provision of Rs 6003 crore to promote scientific and industrial research and development in quantum technology. The mission involves an outlay of Rs 6,003.65 crore from 2023-24 to 2030-31.
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) which aims to promote, develop scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT) . It will accelerate Qt-led economic growth, nurture the ecosystem in the country and make India one of the leading countries in the development of quantum technologies and applications (QTAs).
“Will take India to new heights”
Announcing the decision, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that it is a decision that will take India to new heights. Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said, “The NQM is going to take India a quantum leap in this field.” “The new mission aims to develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in eight years across a variety of platforms such as superconducting and photonic technologies,” he said.
He said that satellite based secure quantum communication between ground stations in a range of 2000 km within India, long distance secure quantum communication with other countries, inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km as well as quantum memories There are also some deliverables of the multi-node quantum network mission.
Sixth country to have dedicated quantum mission
India will be the sixth country to have a dedicated quantum mission after the US, Austria, Finland, France and China.
benefits for india
The mission will help develop magnetometers with high sensitivity in nuclear systems and atomic clocks for accurate timing, communication and navigation. It will also support the design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor structures and topological materials for the fabrication of quantum devices. Single photon sources/detectors and entangled photon sources will also be developed for quantum communication, sensing and metrological applications.
The mission will greatly benefit the communications, health, financial and energy sectors, as well as drug design and space applications. Singh said it will give a huge boost to national priorities like Digital India, Make in India, Skill India and Stand-up India, Start-up India, Atmanirbhar Bharat and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) will be set up at top academic and national R&D institutions on the domains – Quantum Computing, Quantum Communications, Quantum Sensing and Metrology and Quantum Materials and Devices. Hubs that will focus on creation of new knowledge through basic and applied research as well as promote R&D in areas that are imperative to them.
NQM can take the technology development eco-system in the country to a globally competitive level. The mission will greatly benefit the communications, health, financial and energy sectors, as well as drug design and space applications. It will give a huge boost to national priorities like Digital India, Make in India, Skill India and Stand-up India, Start-up India, Atmanirbhar Bharat and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ALSO READ: Center approves Indian Space Policy 2023 to boost private participation
ALSO READ: Union Cabinet approves revision of One Rank One Pension for defense personnel