…Researched and contributed by Henry George.
India has approved the National Quantum Mission, which will cost INR60.04bn ($802.5m) from the fiscal year 2023-24 to 2030-31.
The mission aims to boost scientific and industrial research and development in quantum technology, accelerate quantum technology-led economic growth, and nurture the ecosystem in the country.
India will be the seventh country to have a dedicated quantum mission after the US, Austria, Finland, France, Canada and China.
The National Quantum Mission (NQM) aims to develop intermediate-scale quantum computers in eight years, satellite-based secure quantum communications, long-distance secure quantum communications with other countries, and multi-node quantum networks with quantum memories.
The National Quantum Mission will be headed by a mission director with a dedicated secretariat.
The Governing Body of the mission will be chaired by a renowned scientist or an entrepreneur from the technology, industry, or research sector.
The Mission Technology Research Council will be headed by the Principal Scientific Advisor and will be the scientific advisory mechanism for the Governing Body.
The mission will help develop magnetometers with high sensitivity in atomic systems and atomic clocks for precision timing, communications and navigation.
The mission will support the design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor structures, and topological materials for fabrication of quantum devices.
The hubs will focus on generation of new knowledge through basic and applied research as well as promote R&D in areas that are mandated to them.
Organizations such as the Raman Research Institute, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, and S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, as well as 20 other institutes, are engaged in research and development in this sector.
The mission will provide a boost to communication, health, financial and energy sectors as well as drug design, and space applications.
The mission will benefit the country’s priorities like Digital India, Make in India, Skill India and Stand-up India, Start-up India, Self-reliant India, and Sustainable Development Goals.