Creating a new generation of quantum scientists and engineers, the National Quantum Mission of India is aimed at transforming the economy and establishing the country as a global leader in the field of quantum research and development.
ByBilal Mustikhan | June 2023
With an incredible ability to solve complex problems beyond the scope of classical computers, the rise of quantum computing is bringing another revolution in the world of technology, as it can perform certain tasks exponentially faster than classical computers and has the potential to revolutionize fields such as drug discovery, cryptography, and materials science.
India, like many other well-developed and technologically advanced countries, has recognized the potential of quantum computing and has launched a national quantum mission to ensure that the country stays at the forefront of this technology as well. The Rs. 6,000 crore (approximately USD 800 million) mission, launched in March 2021, aims to build a quantum computer with 20 to 30 qubits by 2025 and a 100-qubit quantum computer by 2030.
But where does India stand in the global race to build quantum computers that can realize their full potential?
Currently, the field of quantum computing is dominated by the United States, China, and European countries that have invested billions of dollars into quantum research. These countries are home to some of the world’s leading tech companies, such as IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Alibaba, all of which have made significant strides in the development of quantum hardware and software.
However, India is not far behind. Over the past few years, the country has been steadily increasing its investment in quantum research, with the aim of catching up with the world’s leaders in the field of computing and information sciences. The national quantum mission is a major step in this direction.
The mission has set several objectives to achieve in the next few years. In addition to building quantum computers with 20 to 30 qubits by 2025 and 100 qubits by 2030, the mission aims to create a strong ecosystem for quantum research in India. This includes building a quantum computing platform that can be accessed by researchers across the country, developing quantum-safe cryptography to protect sensitive data, and training a new generation of quantum scientists and engineers.
One of the key challenges that India faces in its quest to build a quantum computer is the lack of a robust industry for quantum hardware and software. While India has a strong base of software engineers and a burgeoning start-up ecosystem, it lags behind in the development of hardware for quantum computing.
To address this gap, the national quantum mission has set aside a significant portion of its funding for the development of indigenous quantum technologies. This includes the development of quantum chips, cryogenic systems, and other hardware components essential for building a quantum computer.
In addition to developing quantum hardware, the mission also aims to develop software tools and algorithms that can run on a quantum computer. This is a crucial area of research as the performance of a quantum computer is highly dependent on the quality of the software running on it. The mission aims to develop a suite of software tools that can be used by researchers across the country to run quantum simulations and solve complex problems.
Another challenge that India faces is the shortage of trained personnel in the field of quantum computing. To address this gap, the mission aims to train a new generation of quantum scientists and engineers through a series of workshops, training programs, and research collaborations. The mission is also aimed at attracting top talent from around the world to work on quantum research in India.
One of the unique aspects of the national quantum mission is its focus on interdisciplinary research. The mission aims to bring together experts from a wide range of fields, including physics, computer science, materials science, and engineering, to work on quantum research. This approach is essential for solving complex problems that require expertise from multiple fields.
The national quantum mission has already made significant progress in its first year. In March 2022, the mission announced that it had successfully developed a quantum simulator that can simulate the behaviour of a quantum system with up to 25 qubits. This is a significant achievement, as it demonstrates India’s ability to develop advanced quantum technologies.
The national quantum mission has also launched several initiatives to promote quantum research and development in India. One of these initiatives is the Quantum Information and Computing (QuIC) programme, which aims to develop the next generation of quantum computing hardware and software.
The quantum simulator, developed by the national quantum mission, is a crucial step towards building a full-scale quantum computer. Simulators are essential for testing and debugging quantum algorithms and circuits before they are run on a real quantum computer. The simulator can simulate quantum systems with up to 25 qubits, which is a significant achievement given the complexity of quantum systems.
The national quantum mission has also launched several initiatives to promote quantum research and development in India. One of these initiatives is the Quantum Information and Computing (QuIC) programme, which aims to develop the next generation of quantum computing hardware and software. The QuIC programme is a collaboration between the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Information Technology.
Another initiative launched by the mission is the Quantum Frontier programme, which aims to develop quantum technologies for real-world applications. The programme focuses on developing quantum sensors, quantum cryptography, and quantum communication technologies that can be used in a number of fields, such as healthcare, finance, and national security.
The national quantum mission has also established several centres of excellence for quantum research across India. These centres bring together experts from academia, industry, and government to work on cutting-edge quantum research. The mission has also established a national centre for quantum computing, which will serve as a hub for quantum research in India.
The mission has received support from several leading companies in India, including Tata Sons, Reliance Industries, and Infosys. These companies have committed to investing in quantum research and development and are working closely with the mission to develop indigenous quantum technologies.
The national quantum mission has the potential to transform the Indian economy by creating new industries and jobs. The mission aims to establish India as a global leader in quantum research and development and attract investment from around the world. The development of indigenous quantum technologies could also lead to the creation of new start-ups and industries in India.
In a word, the national quantum mission is a crucial step towards building a quantum-ready India. While the country lags behind the United States, China, and Europe in the development of quantum technologies, the mission has set ambitious targets to catch up with the world’s leaders. The mission’s focus on indigenous development of quantum technologies, interdisciplinary research, and training of a new generation of quantum scientists and engineers, has the potential to transform India’s economy and establish it as a global leader in quantum research and development.
With an incredible ability to solve complex problems beyond the scope of classical computers, the rise of quantum computing is bringing another revolution in the world of technology, as it can perform certain tasks exponentially faster than classical computers and has the potential to revolutionize fields such as drug discovery, cryptography, and materials science.
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