National Quantum Mission And Its Features

The Union Cabinet approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM)

What is National Quantum Mission?

• NQM is planned during 2023 – 2031
• It is worth 6,003.65 crore
• 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 highly secure manner.
• India will be the seventh country to have a dedicated quantum mission after the US, Austria, Finland, France, Canada and China
• Most countries are in the research and development phase.

Details of National Quantum Mission

• Department of Science and Technology will lead this national mission, supported by other departments.
• NQM will entail development of satellite-based secure communications between a ground station and a receiver located with 2,000kms 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.
• It will also support design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor structures and topological materials for fabrication of quantum devices.

Features of National Quantum Mission

What Is Quantum Technology?

• Quantum technology refers to the use of the principles of quantum physics to develop new technologies that exploit the unique properties of quantum systems.
• It involves the manipulation and control of the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic level.
• It applies the principles of quantum mechanics to the development of new technologies.
• Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy at a microscopic scale, where the classical laws of physics do not apply.

Significance

• The National Quantum Mission will have a positive impact on several industries, including communication, health, finance, energy, drug design, and space applications.
• The mission aligns with national priorities such as Digital India, Make in India, Skill India, Stand-up India, Start-up India, Self-reliant India, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
• The mission seeks to promote scientific and industrial research and development in Quantum Technology.
• It aims to create a dynamic and innovative ecosystem in the field of quantum technology.
• The mission will facilitate the growth and expansion of quantum technology in India.

Background

• India’s quantum mission has been in the works since 2018, when the Department of Science & Technology put out a call for proposals on projects related to the field of quantum computing. 
• QuEST (Quantum-Enabled Science & Technology) falls under the department’s Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (ICPS) division. 
• In January 2019, the first mission meeting of the QuEST programme was held at the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT)-Hyderabad.
• The event was attended by nearly 50 delegates, most of them academics working in the area of quantum physics.
• In her 2020 budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that India was set to invest Rs 8,000 crore over the next five years in the National Mission on Quantum Technology or the QuEST programme

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