The Union Minister of Science and Technology recently
announced the establishment of advanced quantum fabrication and central
facilities under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) to strengthen India’s
emerging hardware capabilities. This initiative is expected to enhance India’s
scientific ecosystem and elevate the country’s position in the global quantum
technology landscape.
India’s Strategic Step
Toward the Quantum Era
¨
Quantum technology is
increasingly being recognized as one of the most transformative technologies of
the 21st century—whether in quantum computing, secure communication,
high-precision sensing, or solving complex computational problems.
¨
India aims not only to be
a consumer of these technologies but also to become a global hub for quantum
innovation and manufacturing.
¨
The newly proposed
facilities under the National Quantum Mission represent a decisive step in this
direction.
New Quantum Fabrication
Facilities
These announced facilities
will enable the advanced manufacturing of quantum devices, chips, photonic
circuits, superconducting systems, and sensors. Key components of the
facilities are expected to include
¨
State-of-the-art clean
rooms
¨
Cryogenic testing
laboratories
¨
Superconducting qubit
fabrication systems
¨
Micro- and
nano-fabrication units for quantum photonics
¨
High-precision metrology
and calibration centers
These centers will serve as shared platforms for
scientists, start-ups, research institutes, and industries to design, test, and
mass-produce quantum devices.
How Will India’s Hardware
Capacity Improve
While India is a global
leader in software, hardware manufacturing has traditionally depended on
foreign markets. The new quantum fabrication units aim to transform this
scenario:
¨
Self-reliance:
India will be able to design and manufacture its own quantum chips, sensors,
and devices.
¨
Boost
to the startup ecosystem: Quantum-focused startups
will gain access to prototyping and production facilities, accelerating
innovation.
¨
Stronger
scientific research: Institutes such as IITs, IISc, and
national laboratories will be able to conduct advanced research.
¨
Global
collaboration and investment:These centers will
attract partnerships with leading worldwide technology institutions.
¨
High-skill
job creation:Jobs will grow in roles like quantum
engineers, photonic designers, superconducting specialists, and system
integrators.
Broader Goals of the National
Quantum Mission
Approved in 2023, the
National Quantum Mission aims to position India as a global leader in quantum
technologies by 2030. Key objectives include
¨
Developing 50–1000 qubit
quantum computing capacity
¨
Establishing secure
quantum communication networks
¨
Building world-class
facilities for quantum sensing and metrology
¨
Creating an integrated
ecosystem through academia–industry collaboration
