The Indian government has approved the National Quantum Mission, an ambitious initiative aimed at propelling India to the forefront of quantum technology research and development. With a budget of Rs 6,003 crore over an eight-year period, the mission aims to develop 20-50 qubit quantum computers and quantum communication over a distance of 2,000 kilometers within the next three years.
What is Quantum Technology?
Quantum technology is a rapidly evolving field that applies the principles of quantum mechanics to the development of new technologies. Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy at the microscopic level where classical laws of physics do not apply.
Quantum technology includes various types of technologies, such as quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum sensing. Quantum computing is particularly significant, as it uses qubits instead of classical bits to perform calculations, allowing it to solve problems much faster and more accurately than classical computing.
National Quantum Mission: Objectives
The Indian government has proposed establishing four thematic hubs in various institutions across the country to promote research and development in quantum technology. The Department of Science & Technology will lead the National Quantum Mission, and a mission director will oversee the work.
The mission’s governing body will be led by scientists from the quantum field, and a mission secretariat will be formed. The Mission Technology Research Council will serve as a scientific advisory body for the governing body.
The National Quantum Mission aims to bring India on par with six other global countries that are researching quantum technology. India will be the latest entrant into the elite club, as the US, China, France, Austria, and Finland are still in the R&D phase of quantum technology.
Quantum technology provides unparalleled security in encryption, making quantum communication virtually hack-proof. The technology also has vast potential in various fields, such as healthcare, astrophysics, and astronomy. The National Quantum Mission aims to put India at the forefront of quantum technology research and provide quantum technology solutions for the future.
Impact of National Quantum Mission
The National Quantum Mission will establish India as a leader in information and technology, offering potential beyond physical and engineering fields and extending to healthcare and other sectors.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) already demonstrated satellite-based quantum communication when scientists from the Ahmedabad-based Space Applications Centre and Physical Research Laboratory conducted quantum entanglement using real-time Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) in 2022.
The approval of the National Quantum Mission is a significant step towards achieving technological advancement in the field, and it will spur innovation across sectors.
Wrapping Up
Quantum technology is the future of computing, cryptography, and sensing. The National Quantum Mission will pave the way for India’s technological progress in the years to come, establishing the country as a leader in the field. With the mission’s ambitious objectives and a considerable budget, India is well-positioned to compete globally in quantum technology research and development.
