The National Quantum Mission, which falls under the Ministry of Science and Technology, seeks to advance scientific and industry R & D and build a thriving, forward-thinking ecosystem for quantum technology.
In order to benefit from the National Quantum goal (NQM), the University Grants Commission (UGC) issued a notice asking Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to educate teachers, researchers, and students about the goal. The Ministry of Science and Technology’s National Quantum Mission seeks to advance scientific and industrial R & D, foster a thriving and forward-thinking ecosystem for quantum technology (QT), and scale up such efforts.
The NQM, which would cost Rs 6,003.65 overall from 2023–2024 to 2030–3031, was authorised by the Union Cabinet, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a few weeks ago. With this programme, India is expected to become a global leader in the development of Quantum Technologies and Applications (QTA), enhance the national ecosystem, and accelerate the economic growth driven by quantum technology.
The new mission is to construct intermediate-level quantum computers with 50–1,000 physical qubits over an eight-year timeframe on a range of platforms, including superconducting and photonic technologies.
“Satellite-based secured quantum communications between ground stations over a range of 2000 kilometers within India, long-distance secure quantum communications with other countries, inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 kilometers as well as multi-node quantum network with quantum memories are also some of the deliverables of the mission,” the UGC’s official notice read.
The National Quantum Mission would help in the development of extremely sensitive atomic magnetometers and atomic clocks for exact timings, communications, and navigation, according to the circular from UGC Secretary Manish R Joshi. It will also help with the development of new superconductors, topological materials, and semiconductor architectures, all of which are necessary for making quantum devices.
The establishment of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) on the topics of Quantum Communication, Quantum Computing, Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and Quantum Materials & Devices will take place in famous university and national R&D institutions. The centers’ main objectives will be to advance R&D in their designated fields and to produce new knowledge through basic and applied research.
The UGC Secretary went on to say that NQM might make the nation’s technology development environment more competitive on a global scale. He claimed that this mission would significantly affect the fields of communication, finance, health, and energy, as well as medicine development.
“National programmes like Make in India, Digital India, Start-up India, Self-reliant India, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) would all receive a big boost from the National Quantum Mission”, Joshi continued.
(Source: News18)
