Context: Recently, the union cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) to aid scientific and industrial research and development in quantum technology.

About National Quantum Mission (NQM)

• NQM will fund research and development of quantum computing technology and associated applications.

• Led by: Department of Science and Technology

• The mission will have defined milestones that are expected to be achieved over the course of eight years (2023-24 to 2030-31).

• India is the sixth country to have a dedicated quantum mission after the US, Austria, Finland, France and China.

• Four thematic hubs, or T-Hubs, with a focus on quantum computing, communication, sensing and metrology, and materials and devices will be established in India’s leading academic and national R&D institutes.

Objectives

• Create intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 qubits in the next eight years.

• Establish satellite-based secure quantum communications between ground stations within India, as well as with other countries, covering a range of 2000 km.

• It will look to provide inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km.

• Multi-node quantum network with quantum memories.

• Help to advance atomic technology with highly sensitive magnetometers and precision atomic clocks that serve communication, navigation, and timing.

• Aid in designing and synthesising quantum materials, including superconductors, novel semiconductor structures, and topological materials for the fabrication of quantum devices.

Significance

• This will accelerate QT led economic growth and make India one of the leading nations in the development of Quantum Technologies & Applications (QTA) ranging from healthcare and diagnostics, defence, energy and data security.

• It will work towards indigenously building quantum-based computers which are far more powerful and are able to solve the most complex problems in a highly secure manner.

About Quantum Technology

• Quantum technology is a field of science and engineering that deals with the principles of quantum mechanics, which is the study of the behaviour of matter and energy at the smallest scale.

• Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic level.

Advantages of Quantum Technology

• Increased Computing Power: Quantum computers are very much faster than the computers we today have. They also have the capability to solve complex problems that are currently beyond our reach.

• Improved Security: Because they rely on principles of quantum mechanics, quantum encryption techniques are much more secure than traditional encryption methods.

• Faster Communication: Quantum communication networks can transmit information faster and more securely than traditional networks, with the potential for completely unhackable communication.

• Enhanced AI: Quantum machine learning algorithms can potentially enable more efficient and accurate training of Artificial Intelligence models.

• Better Sensing and Measurement: Quantum sensors can detect extremely small changes in the environment, making them useful in areas such as medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and geological exploration.

Disadvantages of Quantum Technology

• Expensive: The technology requires specialized equipment and materials which make it more expensive than the traditional technologies.

• Limited Applications: Currently, quantum technology is only useful for specific applications such as cryptography, quantum computing, and quantum communication.

• Sensitivity to Environment: Quantum technology is highly sensitive to environmental interference, such as temperature changes, magnetic fields, and vibrations.

• Qubits are easily disrupted by their surroundings which can cause them to lose their quantum properties and make mistakes in calculations.

• Limited Control: It is difficult to control and manipulate quantum systems. Quantum-powered AI could create unintended consequences.

• Quantum-powered AI systems could potentially arrive at conclusions that are unexpected or difficult to explain as they operate on principles that are fundamentally different from classical computing.

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 applications: 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 networks 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 the design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor structures and topological materials for the 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).

Conclusion

• Overall, while quantum technology has enormous potential, there are still many challenges that must be overcome before it can be widely adopted.