SYLLABUS
GS-3: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights
Context: NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub recently released a Roadmap on “Transforming India into a leading Quantum-Powered Economy.”
Key Highlights of the Report
- Vision & Strategic Goal:
- Foundation for next-gen advances: Quantum technologies rank among the most transformative global forces, reshaping healthcare, energy, logistics, materials, and national security.
- Leapfrog technological cycles: India’s transition from passive consumer to global quantum leader, realizing Viksit Bharat by 2047.
- Targets for 2035:
- India incubates 10+ globally competitive quantum startups, each generating over USD 100 million annually.
- India captures 50% of the global quantum software and services market.
- India deploys quantum solutions at large scale across civilian and strategic sectors.
- India establishes itself as a key player in global quantum supply chains for hardware and software.
- India produces world-class research and high-value quantum IP.
- Strategic Interventions (2–5 Years):
- India expands its quantum workforce by an order of magnitude within 2–3 years.
- India raises industry and government investment in quantum adoption and R&D.
- India accelerates lab-to-market transitions via improved R&D pipelines, validation facilities, and commercialization support.
- India bolsters foundational quantum science with high-risk/high-reward research funding.
- India retains 90%+ quantum deep-tech startups through supportive policies and regulations.
- India leads global standard-setting and serves as a reliable quantum partner for the Global South.
- Economic & Sectoral Impact:
- Quantum technologies unlock USD 1–2 trillion in global value by 2035.
- Quantum enables drug discovery, precision medicine, new materials, energy optimization, logistics, finance, and climate modelling.
Key Initiatives taken by India to boost Quantum Technology
- National Quantum Mission (NQM): NQM is advancing India’s quantum capabilities by developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50–1000 qubits using superconducting and photonic platforms.
- Quantum-Enabled Science and Technology (QuEST): India is building national capabilities in quantum computing, communication, and sensing through its foundational research programme launched by the Department of Science & Technology in 2019, which funds advanced projects across leading institutes.
- India Quantum Alliance: The India Quantum Alliance, managed by C-DOT, is an umbrella project to bring together R&D efforts for quantum communication technologies.
Challenges associated with the Progress of the Quantum Technology
- Funding Disparity: India’s ₹0.75 billion investment pales against China’s $15 billion and US’s $4 billion, limiting scale in hardware and R&D.
- Regulatory and Security Gaps: Financial sector lags in quantum security and post-quantum cryptography, exposing cyber infrastructure to risks.
- Hardware & supply-chain gaps: India relies heavily on foreign quantum hardware fabrication, lacking domestic supply chains for sensors and critical components.
- Talent and Workforce Shortage: Despite many quantum graduates, specialized human resources remain abysmally low, hindering development across subfields.
Key Recommendations
- Expand the quantum-skilled workforce: India is rapidly training scientists and engineers to ensure a strong talent pool capable of developing and deploying quantum technologies.
- Prioritise high-impact quantum sectors: India is focusing on secure communication, healthcare, logistics, and finance where quantum technologies offer immediate national advantages.
- Accelerate lab-to-market transition: India is establishing testbeds and validation systems to convert quantum research swiftly into usable, commercial products.
- Develop a domestic quantum supply chain: India is creating its own manufacturing and hardware ecosystem to achieve self-reliance and reduce dependence on foreign quantum technology.