INDIA’s NATIONAL QUANTUM MISSION

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.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/indias-first-quantum-computer-set-for-launch-under-national-quantum-mission/article68566042.ece

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