National Quantum Mission: Details
India is the fifth country to have a dedicated quantum mission, joining the United States, Austria, Finland, France, Canada, and China.
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On Wednesday, the government authorised the National Quantum Mission, which would foster and scale up scientific and industrial research and development in quantum technology. From 2023-24 to 2030-31, the mission will cost Rs 6,003.65 crore.
The National Quantum Mission (NQM), which was agreed upon during a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would accelerate quantum technology-led economic growth and foster the country’s ecosystem.
“NQM will provide India a quantum leap in this sector,” Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology, told reporters here.
India will be the Eighth Country: To Dedicated Quantum Mission
After the United States, Austria, Finland, France, Canada, and China, India will be the eighth country to have a dedicated quantum mission.
“They are also in the research and development stage. None of them has begun any applications (quantum technology). We will also be on the same page “Singh said.
“In eight years, the new mission aims to construct intermediate-size quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits on multiple platforms such as superconducting and photonic technologies,” he stated.
He stated that the mission’s deliverables include satellite-based secure quantum communications between ground stations within India over a range of 2000 km, long-distance secure quantum communications with other countries, intercity quantum key distribution over 2,000 km, and a multi-node quantum network with quantum memories.
The National Quantum Mission will be led by a mission director and will have its own secretariat.
The mission’s Governing Body would be led by a prominent scientist or entrepreneur from the technology, industry, or research sectors, according to I&B Minister Anurag Thakur.
He stated that the Mission Technology Research Council, which would be led by the Senior Scientific Adviser, will serve as the Governing Body’s scientific advisory process.
According to Singh, the expedition will aid in the development of magnetometers with great sensitivity in atomic systems, as well as atomic clocks for precise timing, communications, and navigation.
According to Singh, it will also assist in the design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, innovative semiconductor architectures, and topological materials for the production of quantum devices. He stated that single photon sources/detectors, as well as entangled photon sources, will be created for quantum communications, sensing, and metrological applications.
The Four Theme Centres
Singh stated that four theme centres (T-Hubs) on quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices will be established in premier university and national research and development institutes.
“The hubs will focus on the generation of new knowledge through basic and applied research as well as promote R&D in areas that are mandated to them,” the minister said.
According to Singh, organisations such as the Raman Research Institute, the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (both in Bengaluru), and the S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences in Kolkata have been conducting quantum research. He further stated that 20 additional institutes are involved in research and development in this industry.
According to Singh, the mission has the potential to elevate the country’s technological development environment to a globally competitive level.
The mission would have a significant impact on the communication, health, financial, and energy sectors, as well as medicine development and space applications.
According to Singh, it would offer a significant boost to the country’s goals such as Digital India, Made in India, Skill India, and Stand-up India, as well as Start-up India, Self-reliant India, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).