National Quantum Mission (NQM)

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. 
  • 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. 
Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) 

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
  •  Quantum Computing
  • Quantum Communication
Significance
  • The mission would greatly benefit communication, health, financial and energy sectors as well as drug design, and space applications. 
  • It can take the technology development ecosystem in the country to a globally competitive level. 
  • 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).

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