Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur has approved National Quantum Mission with a budget allocation of Rs 6003 crores.
The National Quantum Mission (NQM), which aims to seed, develop, and scale up scientific and industry R&D and establish a vibrant and inventive ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT), was authorised during the Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Thakur addressing the media said “This will accelerate QT-led economic growth, nurture the ecosystem in the country and make India one of the leading nations in the development of Quantum Technologies and Applications (QTA),” The new project aims to build intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50–1000 physical qubits over an 8-year period on a variety of platforms, including superconducting and photonics.
Among the mission’s deliverables are multi-node quantum networks with quantum memories, inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km, long-distance secure quantum communications with other nations, and satellite-based secure quantum communications between ground stations over a range of 2000 km within India.
National Quantum Mission will help develop Atomic clocks
The mission will play a crucial role in the creation of atomic clocks for precise time, communication, and navigation as well as magnetometers with high sensitivity in atomic systems. Additionally, it will aid in the design and synthesis of quantum materials for the creation of quantum devices, including superconductors, innovative semiconductor architectures, and topological materials. For use in quantum communications, sensing, and metrological applications, single photon sources/detectors and entangled photon sources will also be created.
Top academic and National R&D institutions will establish four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in the fields of quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing & metrology, and quantum materials & devices. The hubs will concentrate on doing basic and applied research to provide new knowledge and will support R&D in areas that are assigned to them.
The country’s atmosphere for technological growth could become internationally competitive thanks to National Quantum Mission. The mission would have a significant positive impact on the financial, energy, health, communication, and pharmaceutical industries as well as space applications. Priorities including “Digital India,” “Make in India,” “Skill India,” “Stand-up India,” “Start-up India,” “Self-reliant India,” and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) will receive a significant boost as a result.
The cabinet also approved the introduction of the Cinematograph Act 2023 at the upcoming session of Parliament, according to I&B Minister Anurag Thakur. “Earlier, in 2019, it (Cinematograph Act 2023) was presented in the Rajya Sabha and the Standing Committee gave certain recommendations. We also had extensive discussions with the shareholders and others and ensure that the content doesn’t suffer due to piracy. Cinematograph Act 2023 has been drafted,” he added.
