India joins 6 leading nations in quantum tech as Cabinet approves Rs 6003 crore National Quantum Mission

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister (Independent charge), Department of Science and Technology (DST), said, “ The National Quantum Mission will help India take a quantum leap in this area of research. It will have wide-scale applications ranging from healthcare and diagnostics, defence, energy and data security.”

DST will lead this national mission, supported by other departments. Presently, R&D works in quantum technologies are underway in the US, Canada, France, Finland, China and Austria.

NQM will entail development of satellite-based secure communications between a ground station and a receiver located with 3,000kms 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 distances quantum communication, especially with other countries, tests will be conducted in the coming years.

The mission will focus on developing quantum computers (qubit) with physical qubit capacities ranging between 50 – 1000 qubits developed over the next eight years. Computers up to 50 physical qubits will be developed over three years, 50 – 100 physical qubits in five years and computers up to 1000 physical qubits in eight years.

Under NQM, there will be four broad themes — Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication , Quantum Sensing and Metrology and Quantum Material and Devices. Thematic hub for each will be established at research institutes and R&D centres who are already working in this field of research.

“The effort is to work towards building an ecosystem favouring quantum technology in the country,” said Dr. Singh.