The National Quantum Mission at a total outlay of Rs 6,000 crore for the period of eight years from 2023-24 to 2030-31 has been approved by the Union cabinet on Wednesday. The programme was first announced in the 2020 budget with a commitment of about Rs 8000 crore then. The approval for the project has been given to scale up the research and development and to create an innovative ecosystem in quantum technology in India.#Cabinet approves National Quantum Mission to scale up scientific & industrial R&D for quantum technologiesRead here: https://t.co/LmfIYyy36K#CabinetDecisions 1/n pic.twitter.com/er6c5PXjBO— PIB India (@PIB_India) April 19, 2023The Department of Science and Technology, in collaboration with other parties, will carry out the initiative. India will now join a group of six countries, including the USA, China, Finland, Austria, France, and Canada, that have been expanding their Research and Development skills in quantum computing.Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, through the official Twitter handle of PIB, said, “#Cabinet approves National Quantum Mission under the guidance of PM @narendramodi. Total cost is Rs.6003.65 crore from 2023-24 to 2030-31 to lead economic growth and leverage India into a leading nation in the sector: Union Minister @ianuragthakur”#Cabinet approves National Quantum Mission under the guidance of PM @narendramodi. Total cost is Rs.6003.65 crore from 2023-24 to 2030-31 to lead economic growth and leverage India into a leading nation in the sector: Union Minister @ianuragthakur #CabinetDecisions pic.twitter.com/exqSVpqwY5— PIB India (@PIB_India) April 19, 2023According to Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, the government would aim to build computers with at least 20 to 50 qubits and 2,000 kilometres of the multi-node quantum network within the next three years and experts say that quantum computing might be a significant help in a nation like India where the government employs technology to address issues on a massive scale since it enables large-scale simulations.Research says that there are about 100 government-supported initiatives relating to quantum and related technologies, through which the Indian economy may gain USD 280–310 billion in value by 2030 if quantum technologies are used across industries.As part of the mission, four thematic hubs (T-Hubs) will be set up at top academic and national Research and Development institutes, which will be quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.The move was also welcomed by the tech giants including TCS, IBM, Tech Mahindra and many other. It is also anticipated that this will boost R&D in quantum computing.What is Quantum TechnologyThe area of physics known as quantum mechanics studies the behavior of matter and energy at tiny scales, where the traditional principles of physics do not apply. Blu-ray, transistors, mobile phones, USB drives, MRI, and even the basic light switch use the principle of Quantum physics. Quantum computing can solve problems much faster and with more authenticity.How this mission will benefit IndiaAtomic clocks for precise time, communication, and navigation as well as magnetometers with great sensitivity in atomic systems will benefit from the mission. It will also help with the design and manufacturing of quantum materials for quantum devices, such as superconductors and cutting-edge semiconductor designs. For use in quantum communications, sensing, and metrological applications, single photon sources and detectors will also be created, as well as entangled photon sources. The mission will provide a boost to national priorities like Digital India, Make in India, Skill India and Stand-up India, Start-up India, Self-reliant India and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Meanwhile, the mission will also benefit the other sectors, which include health, communication, financial and energy sectors.According to the official information, “This will accelerate QT-led economic growth, nurture the ecosystem in the country and make India one of the leading nations in the development of Quantum Technologies & Applications (QTA).”
