The National Quantum Mission (NQM) is for a period of eight years. However, the implementation broadly has three timelines, i.e. 3 years, 5 years and 8 years. Following are the specific aims and objectives of the mission:

1. Develop intermediate scale quantum computers with 20-50 physical qubits (3 years), 50-100 physical qubits (5 years) and 50-1000 physical qubits (8 years) in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology.
2. Develop satellite based secure quantum communications between two ground stations over a range of 2000 kilometres within India as well as long distance secure quantum communications with other countries.
3. Develop inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km with trusted nodes using wavelength division multiplexing on existing optical fibre.
4. Develop multi-node Quantum network with quantum memories, entanglement swapping and synchronised quantum repeaters at each node (2-3 nodes).
5. Develop magnetometers with 1 femto-Tesla/sqrt(Hz) sensitivity in atomic systems and better than 1 pico-Tesla/sqrt(Hz) sensitivity in Nitrogen Vacancy-centers; Gravity measurements having sensitivity better than 100 nano-meter/second² using atoms and Atomic Clocks with 10^-19 fractional instability for precision timing, communications and navigation.
6. Design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel Semiconductor structures and topological materials for fabrication of quantum devices for development of qubits for quantum computing and quantum communication applications, single photon sources/detectors, entangled photon sources for quantum communications, sensing and metrological applications.

The major fields of research and development being focused upon under the mission are   Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology and Quantum Materials & Devices.

The National Quantum Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet at an outlay of Rs.6003.65 Crores for a period of eight years.

National Quantum Mission is a pan India initiative under which four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) have been established, comprising of 14 Technical Groups across 17 states and 2 Union Territories, including Bihar. The activities undertaken by these hubs - technology development, human resource development, entrepreneurship development, industry collaborations, and international collaborations-are national in scope. Female scientists from all states and districts, including Bihar, are encouraged to participate in and benefit from the Mission’s programs.

This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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