The Centre on Wednesday approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) at a total cost of Rs 6003 crore from 2023-24 to 2030-31, to boost scientific industrial research and development and create a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT). This will drive QT led economic growth, nurture the ecosystem in the country and make India one of the leading countries in the development of Quantum Technologies & Applications (QTA).
#Cabinet approves National Quantum Mission under the guidance of PM @narendramodi. Total cost is Rs.6003.65 crore from 2023-24 to 2030-31 to lead economic growth and leverage India into a leading nation in the sector: Union Minister @ianuragthakur #CabinetDecisions pic.twitter.com/exqSVpqwY5
— PIB India (@PIB_India) April 19, 2023
The new mission aims to develop intermediate scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years across a variety of platforms such as superconducting and photonic techniques. Satellite based secure quantum communications between ground stations within a range of 2000 kilometres within India, long distance secure quantum communications with other countries, inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km as well as multi-node Quantum network with quantum memories are also some of the deliverables of the Mission.
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, entangled photon sources will also be developed for quantum communication, sensing and metrological applications.
Four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) will be set up in top academic and National research and development institutes on the domains- Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology and Quantum Materials & Devices. Hubs that will focus on the creation of new knowledge through basic and applied research as well as promote research and development 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).