University Grants Commission on 21 June, 2023 has launched the National Quantum Mission aiming to seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology. It has also been decided to set up a National Quantum Mission (NQM) under Ministry of Science and Technology.
The New mission targets developing intermediate scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology. Satellite based secure quantum communications between ground stations over a range of 2000 kilometres within India, long distance secure quantum communications with other countries, inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 kilometres as well as multi-node quantum network with quantum memories are also some of the deliverables of the Mission.
Four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) will be set up in top academic and National R&D Institutes on the domains Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology and Quantum Materials & Devices. The hubs which 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.
