Cabinet approves National Quantum Mission, allocates nearly US$ 729.99 million (Rs. 6,003 crore)
- IBEF
- April 20, 2023
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, authorised the National Quantum Mission (NQM), with the goal of creating and nurturing a creative ecosystem in quantum technology. The mission will cost US$ 729.99 million (Rs. 6,003.65 crore) in total, which will be dispersed across eight years.
Union Minister Mr. Anurag Thakur said that "Union Cabinet approved National Quantum Mission with a budget provision of US$ 729.99 million (Rs. 6,003 crore). The time period of the Mission will be from 2023-24 to 2030-31. This is one such decision that will take India to new heights".
The implementation of the National Quantum Mission (NQM) will position India as a leader in the development of quantum technologies and applications. India will join the US, Austria, Finland, France, and China as the sixth nation with a dedicated quantum mission.
Science and Technology Minister, Mr. Jitendra Singh said that "NQM is going to give India a quantum jump in this arena. It will accelerate quantum technology-led economic growth". He further added that "This mission will develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in eight years in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology". He also claimed that the project will create atomic clocks for precise timing, communications, and navigation as well as magnetometers with high sensitivity.
The Department of Science and Technology will implement the National Quantum Mission (NQM) in collaboration with other departments.
According to Mr. Jitendra Singh, the mission's deliverables include satellite-based secure quantum communications between ground stations within India over a 2,000-kilometer range, long-distance secure quantum communications with other countries, inter-city quantum key distribution over 2,000 kilometres, and multi-node quantum network with quantum memories. He also stated that four thematic hubs (T-Hubs) will be established in leading university and national research and development institutes in the disciplines of quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.
Mr. Anurag Thakur stated that “It will benefit communication, health, pharmaceutical, financial and energy sectors as well as defence data security”.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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