What’s the News?
The government has recently approved the National Quantum Mission to scale up scientific and industrial research and development in quantum technology.
What is National Quantum Mission?
- Its aim is to seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology.
- The mission planned for 2023-2031 will be implemented by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science & Technology.
- With the launch of this mission, India will be the seventh country to have a dedicated quantum mission after the US, Austria, Finland, France, Canada and China.
- The Governing Body of the mission will be chaired by a renowned scientist or an entrepreneur from the technology, industry or research sector.
- The Mission Technology Research Council will be headed by the Principal Scientific Advisor and will be the scientific advisory mechanism for the Governing Body.
Features
- It will mainly work towards strengthening India’s research and development in the quantum arena alongside indigenously building quantum-based (physical qubit) computers which are far more powerful to perform the most complex problems in a highly secure manner.
- The mission will entail the development of satellite-based secure communications between a ground station and a receiver located at 3,000 km during the first three years.
- For satellite-based communication within Indian cities, NQM will lay communication lines using Quantum Key Distribution over 2,000kms.Â
- For long-distance quantum communication, especially with other countries, tests will be conducted in the coming years.
- The mission will also focus on developing quantum computers (qubit) with physical qubit capacities ranging between 50 – 1000 qubits developed over the next eight years.Â
Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs)Â
Four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) would be set up in top academic and National R&D institutes on the domains of Quantum Technology
- Quantum Sensing & Metrology
- Quantum Materials & Devices
- Â Quantum Computing
- Quantum Communication
Significance
- The mission would greatly benefit communication, health, financial and energy sectors as well as drug design, and space applications.Â
- It can take the technology development ecosystem in the country to a globally competitive level.Â
- It will work towards indigenously building quantum-based computers which are far more powerful and are able to solve the most complex problems in a highly secure manner.
- It will provide a huge boost to National priorities like Digital India, Make in India, Skill India and Stand-up India, Start-up India, Self-reliant India and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).