Shanmugam Ias Academy

Context

The Union Cabinet has approved the ₹6,003 crores National Quantum Mission (NQM) that will fund the R&D of quantum computing technology and its applications.

About

The Mission involves the development of quantum computers with 20-50 physical qubits in three years, 50-100 physical qubits in five years and 50 to 1,000 physical qubits in eight years.
“Qubits” are quantum bits that are the units of processing by quantum computers. A qubit is a quantum bit, the counterpart in quantum computing to the binary digit or bit of classical computing.
The mission will assist in developing magnetometers with high sensitivity in atomic systems, and atomic clocks for precision timing, communications and navigation.
The mission also helps develop the fabrication of quantum materials including superconductors, novel semiconductor structures, and other topological materials.
Further, four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) will be established in top academic and National R&D institutes in the domains of quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology and quantum materials and devices.

Quantum Computing

It is an area of computer science focused on the development of technologies based on the principles of quantum theory.
It uses the unique behaviours of quantum physics to solve problems that are too complex for classical computing.
Classical computers today employ a stream of electrical impulses (1 and 0) in a binary manner to encode information in bits. This restricts their processing ability compared to quantum computing.
Quantum computing uses subatomic particles, such as electrons or photons. Quantum bits, or qubits, allow these particles to exist in more than one state (i.e., 1 and 0) at the same time.
Qubits can exploit the interference between their wave-like quantum states to perform calculations that might otherwise take millions of years.

National Quantum Mission (NQM):

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

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