TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: After facing nearly four years of delays, India’s National Quantum Mission is finally set to launch, marking a significant milestone in the country’s technological advancement.
EXPLANATION:
- This mission aims to position India at the forefront of quantum computing, an area of cutting-edge technology with the potential to revolutionize computing power.
- The government has earmarked a ₹6,000 crore corpus to fund various initiatives.
- It includes launching India’s first quantum computer capable of 6-qubit computation, establishing grants for quantum startups, and setting up four Section 8 companies to spearhead different verticals of quantum technology.
The Vision
- The mission has four main verticals:
- quantum computing,
- quantum communication,
- quantum measurement, and
- quantum sensing.
- These verticals will be managed by four Section 8 companies, which will operate under the guidance of prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
- The selection of these institutes is already underway, with official announcements expected soon.
Setting Up Section 8 Companies: A Strategic Move
- The establishment of Section 8 companies is a critical aspect of the mission’s implementation strategy.
- These companies will operate independently and will be responsible for advancing their respective quantum technology areas.
- Each company will have its own CEO and will work towards achieving specific goals related to quantum computing, communication, measurement, and sensing.
- By involving premier engineering institutes, the mission aims to leverage existing academic expertise and infrastructure to foster innovation and development in quantum technologies.
Momentum in Fund Dispersal: Overcoming Initial Challenges
- Despite the initial struggle to utilize the funds allocated in 2020, there has been a significant shift in momentum since January of this year.
- It was revealed that the mission has received approximately 385 proposals from scientists, research institutes, and startups eager to develop cutting-edge quantum technologies.
- Starting next month, the mission will begin shortlisting projects for funding, indicating a proactive approach to achieving its objectives.
Focus on Quantum Computing and Communication
- Among the four verticals, quantum computing and quantum communication have emerged as the most promising.
- These areas have already seen advancements in India, even before the formal launch of the National Quantum Mission.
- The Department of Science and Technology had been investing in quantum computing through its “Pre NQM” program, known as the Quantum-Enabled Science and Technology (QuEST) initiative.
- In a parallel effort, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) have been collaborating on building a 6-qubit quantum computer.
National Quantum Mission
- The National Quantum Mission (NQM) is a visionary initiative (2023) led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST)to fortify India’s research and development in the quantum domain.
- The National Quantum Mission has set ambitious targets for quantum computing capabilities in India.
- The goal is to establish a quantum computer capable of handling 20-50 qubits within the next three years, expanding to 50-100 qubits in five years, and reaching 50-1000 qubits within a decade.
- These targets align with global benchmarks, where the current average processing capability of quantum computers ranges between 20-50 qubits.
- The importance of developing indigenous quantum computing capabilities, particularly in the context of national security has been emphasized.
- The substantial investments made by China in quantum computing has been highlighted, which pose potential threats to India’s critical infrastructure, such as electrical grids and financial systems.
- Developing homegrown quantum technology is seen as essential to safeguarding national interests.
Advancing Quantum Communication: Collaboration with Startups
- The mission also aims to make significant strides in quantum communication, a field that is crucial for secure information transmission.
- India already has a growing ecosystem of startups that specialize in commercial quantum communication products, catering to sectors such as defense.
- To further support the private sector, the mission plans to offer substantial grants to deep tech startups.
- Unlike the typical ₹10-50 lakh grants provided to technology startups, the mission is considering grants in the range of ₹10-25 crore.
- These larger grants are designed to meet the high capital expenditure required to develop advanced quantum communication technologies.