Font size:
Print
India’s Quest to Bridge the Quantum Capabilities
Context: India has launched a Rs 6,000 crore National Quantum Mission to develop quantum technologies, but faces a significant challenge in catching up to leading countries like the United States and China.
Key Highlights
- India is one of 17 countries with a dedicated quantum program and among the top 12 in investment, but funding is much lower than leading countries (India – $0.75 billion vs China – $15 billion over 5 years).
- It also lags in patents and publications in quantum technologies.
- Ranks 20th in terms of the 10% most cited papers in quantum research.
- The country has a chance to be a global leader in quantum communications and sensing within 5 years due to existing capabilities.
|
Quantum Mechanics:
|
About National Quantum Mission
-
- Conceptualised by the Prime Minister Science Technology Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) with a total outlay of Rs 6003.65 Crore for eight years.
- Implemented by: Department of Science and Technology (DST).
- Goal: To develop Quantum Technologies (QT) and make India a leading nation in QTA (Quantum Technologies & Applications).
- Mission Objectives:
-
-
- Develop intermediate-scale quantum computers (50-1000 qubits in 8 years).
- Secure quantum communication networks (satellite-based, long-distance, inter-city).
- Develop high-sensitivity magnetometers and atomic clocks.
- Design and synthesis of quantum materials.
- Single photon sources/detectors for various applications
-
- Implementation:
-
- Four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) are set up in top academic/research institutes.
- Focus on basic/applied research and mandated R&D areas in:
- Quantum Computing
- Quantum Communication
- Quantum Sensing & Metrology
- Quantum Materials & Devices
Challenges:
- Funding Gap: India has earmarked Rs 6,000 crore which is substantial within Indian standards. However, it is significantly less compared to other countries.
- China ($15 billion), US ($3.75 billion), UK ($4.3 billion), Germany, South Korea, and France (each over $2 billion).
- Research Lag: Between 2000 and 2018, Indian researchers published 1,711 papers on quantum-related science, whereas Chinese and American researchers published 12,110 and 13,489 papers, respectively.
- Patent Deficit: From 2015 to 2020 a similar gap exists in patent registrations (India – 339, China – 23335, US – 8935 ).
- Despite these challenges, India has a foundation to build upon in quantum technologies.
Way Forward:
- India has a strong talent pool with 110-145 leading research groups, 75-100 post-doctoral fellows, and around 400 PhD students specifically in quantum technologies.
- Additionally, around 200 senior scientists are engaged in related fields such as material sciences, electronics, computer science, and physics.
- Advantage in Allied Fields: The Country boasts the largest number of graduate students (over 82,000) outside the EU in disciplines relevant to quantum technology compared to China and the US.
- These include biochemistry, electronics, chemical engineering, statistics, and information and communication technologies.
- The Mission should identify and promote young talent in quantum technologies.
- The report recommends creating a dedicated cadre of quantum scientists similar to what exists in atomic energy and space research.
Quantum Technologies (QT)
- The technology is based on principles of quantum mechanics (early 20th century) to describe atomic and subatomic behaviour.
- It leverages concepts like quantum superposition and entanglement for unbreakable codes, high-speed computation, and simulation surpassing classical computers.
- Applications in various fields: Secure communication, disaster prediction, computing, simulation, chemistry, healthcare, cryptography, and imaging.
- Recent research explores quantum theory in biology (smell, consciousness, enzyme catalysis, photosynthesis, avian navigation, and virus effects..).
India’s Role in Quantum Technology:
- Building on the work of Indian scientists includes Satyendra Nath Bose, Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, and Professor Meghnad Saha.
- Investing heavily in the “second quantum revolution.”
- Including ₹8,000 crore for National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NMQTA) and ₹3,660 crore for National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
