Context

The Union Cabinet cleared Rs 6,003 crore National Quantum Mission seeking to realise a host of frontier technologies related to quantum computing, quantum communication and quantum sensing that only a handful of countries possess.

Background

• The new mission comes four years after the central government in December 2018 announced Rs 3,660 crore National Mission on Cyber-Physical Systems, which is being executed through 25 hubs.

What is the National Quantum Mission?

• Duration: Eight years
• Verticals: The mission involving research institutions and industry will have four verticals
  • three on quantum computing, communication and sensing
  • a fourth one on developing novel materials and devices that would aid in the three core programmes
• Aim: To accelerate quantum technology-led economic growth and nurture the ecosystem in the country.
• The new mission targets developing intermediate scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in eight years in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology
• Global race: India will be the seventh country to have a dedicated quantum mission after the US, Austria, Finland, France, Canada and China.
  • All these countries are also at the R&D stage.

What is Quantum technology?

• Quantum technology is a class of technology that works by using the principles of quantum mechanics (the physics of sub-atomic particles), including quantum entanglement and quantum superposition.
  • Example-Smartphone is a type of quantum technology – its semiconductors use quantum physics to work.

What is Qubit? A qubit (or quantum bit) is the quantum mechanical analogue of a classical bit. In classical computing the information is encoded in bits, where each bit can have the value zero or one. In quantum computing the information is encoded in qubits.

How Quantum technology can be a good ‘solution’?

• Effective functioning:In modern day computing, information is relayed and stored in binary digits or bits, that is, 0 or 1. In quantum computing, information sharing, and storage is done in qubits, which exist as 0 or 1 or a combination of both.
  • This allows for a quantum computer to perform a multitude of applications at the same time, at a much faster rate, surpassing the processing ability of a conventional computing system.
• Increased processing capabilities:Quantum computers will exponentially increase the processing capabilities of a modern-day computer and address impediments linked to combinatorics.
• Wide range of application: It has immense potential in a wide range of applications from ultra secure military communication to extra-precise MRI machines.
• Multiple benefits:Near-term and long-term quantum applications will:
  • augment AI solutions
  • improve financial forecasting
  • drastically reduce failures in the manufacturing sector
  • accentuate drug development
  • push for better cybersecurity paradigms

How this mission will give India a quantum leap?

• Valuable deliverables: Satellite-based secure quantum communications between ground stations over a range of 2000 km within India, long distance secure quantum communications with other countries, inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km as well as multi-node quantum network with quantum memories are also some of the deliverables of the mission.
• Development of atomic systems: The mission will help develop magnetometers with high sensitivity in atomic systems and atomic clocks for precision timing, communications and navigation.
• Development of quantum materials: It will also support design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor structures and topological materials for fabrication of quantum devices.
• Beneficial for different sectors: The mission would greatly benefit communication, health, financial and energy sectors as well as drug design, and space applications.
• Boost to national priorities: It will provide a huge 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).