India's Quantum Leap: Aiming for Technological Supremacy

India must invest in human resources for quantum technology, says Ajay Kumar Sood. Highlighting the need for educational programs and domestic equipment manufacturing, he urged immediate action. Abhay Karandikar echoed the sentiment, noting government plans to support startups and expand research capabilities under the National Quantum Mission.

India needs to significantly invest in building human resources in quantum technology through a focused approach on higher education and training, Principal Scientific Advisor to the government Ajay Kumar Sood stated on Tuesday.

During a panel discussion on the National Quantum Mission (NQM) by itihaasa Research and Digital, Sood emphasized the urgent need for professionals as the field remains in its early stages in India. He noted, 'Before 10 years ago, there were very few people working on quantum technologies. We need to build this human resource in a very major way. We started an M.Tech in nanoscience at 10 places. Something similar needs to be done for quantum technologies. Currently, such programs exist at IISER Pune and IISc Bangalore, but this requires more enhancement.'

Sood also highlighted the necessity of developing domestic capabilities to manufacture quantum computing equipment, which are largely imported. 'Our preparedness to make equipment, especially for quantum computing, is limited. We must build up that capability sooner rather than later,' he added.

Adding to the discussion, Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, noted that India's pre-mission programs like QuEST and smaller R&D projects have cultivated a community of about 150 to 200 quantum researchers. 'A strong research community exists today. The government aims to form technical groups in four areas of quantum technology by August-September,' Karandikar stated.

He further indicated that the NQM governing board has approved policies to support startups, saying, 'After forming the technical groups, we will launch a program to invest in startups. Some of the startups in India have global potential, and the National Quantum Mission intends to support them.'

According to itihaasa Research and Digital, a global comparison of education programs in quantum technologies in 2022 shows it's a major focus area in many countries, with 162 universities and institutions worldwide offering related educational and research activities.

In India, premier institutions like IIT Kharagpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IISc, and several IISERs offer educational programs in quantum technologies. IISc and the Defence Institute of Advanced Technologies offer M.Tech. programs in quantum technologies. In 2024, IISER Pune launched a Master of Science (MS) program in quantum technologies. IIT Madras offers a specialization in quantum science and technologies within its dual-degree program.

Approved by the Union Cabinet in April last year, the National Quantum Mission aims to boost scientific and industrial R&D in quantum technology. Objectives include developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits by 2030-31, secure quantum communications over 2000 km, and multi-node quantum networks. The mission will also focus on creating high-sensitivity magnetometers, atomic clocks, quantum materials, and photon sources for various applications.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)