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India's Quantum Mission Hits 1,000 km Milestone in Under 3 Years

India's National Quantum Mission has achieved a major milestone by establishing a 1,000 km secure quantum communication network in less than three years, far ahead of its original schedule. Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced the mission has also rapidly expanded, doubling its supported deep-tech startup count from 8 to 17. The government has concurrently launched a first-of-its-kind ₹1 lakh crore Research Development Innovation Fund to boost private sector R&D in areas like 6G and advanced manufacturing. Approved in 2023 with a budget of over ₹6,000 crore, the mission's key goals include developing quantum computers and a 2,000 km quantum communication network within eight years.

Key Points: India's Quantum Mission Achieves 1,000 km Secure Network

  • 1,000 km secure network in <3 years
  • Startup tally doubled to 17
  • New ₹1 lakh crore R&D fund launched
  • Aims for 2,000 km & quantum computers
3 min read

National Quantum Mission hits 1,000 km network milestone in less than 3 years; Jitendra Singh lauds indigenous breakthrough

National Quantum Mission hits 1,000 km secure comms milestone ahead of schedule, adds 9 deep-tech startups, and launches a ₹1 lakh crore RDI fund.

"The 'National Quantum Mission'... has achieved 1,000 km secure communication milestone in less than 3 years - Jitendra Singh"

New Delhi, April 8

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh, on Wednesday, lauded the National Quantum Mission for achieving a 1,000 km secure communication milestone in less than three years.

"The "National Quantum Mission" launched by PM @NarendraModi in 2023, has achieved 1,000 km secure communication milestone in less than 3 years, even though it's target was to achieve 2,000 km secure communication capability in 8 years," said Singh.

In a post on X, the Union Minister highlighted that the National Quantum Mission has significantly expanded its startup tally from 8 to 17 within a short span of time, incorporating nine new deep-tech ventures.

These newly supported startups are involved in the development of cutting-edge applications, which include quantum biosensors for disease detection, photon-sensing technologies, and quantum positioning systems.

Additionally, their work extends to atomic memory and precision electronic systems, further strengthening India's indigenous quantum ecosystem.

"Moving on fast track, Quantum Mission has also increased it's #StartUp tally from 8 to 17 within a short span of time, with 9 new deep-tech ventures. The newly StarUps are working on areas ranging from quantum biosensors for disease detection and photon sensing technologies to quantum positioning systems, atomic memory and precision electronic systems. The newly supported startups include Sense-XT, ORVISSEMI, QuBeats, Quantum AI Global, bloq, GDQLabs, Quantum Biosciences, Bumble Bee Instruments Pvt. Ltd., and SAS Qute Electronics Pvt. Ltd," added Singh.

The Union Minister also announced that the Government of India had launched the first-of-its-kind Rs 1 lakh crore Research Development Innovation (RDI) Fund to accelerate the private sector and ensure innovation and scalability in emerging sectors such as 6G, advanced manufacturing etc.

"At the same time, for the first of it's kind Rs 1 lakh crore Research Development Innovation (RDI) Fund rolled out by the government to accelerate the private sector, the Technology Development Board (TDB) has received over 100 proposals within two months of issuing a call, indicating growing industry interest. The initiative seeks to ensure both innovation and scalability in emerging sectors such as 6G, advanced manufacturing, space technologies and biotechnology," said Singh.

Earlier, the Government of India approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) on April 19, 2023, with a total budget of ₹6,003.65 crore spanning from 2023-24 to 2030-31. The mission aims to seed, nurture, and scale up scientific and industrial R&D while aiming to create an innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT).

Key objectives include the development of intermediate-scale quantum computers featuring 50-1000 physical qubits within eight years across various platforms, such as superconducting and photonic technology.

Additionally, the mission's deliverables also include the development of satellite-based secure quantum communications between ground stations over a 2,000-kilometre range within India and the establishment of multi-node quantum networks equipped with quantum memories.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone working in tech, this is incredibly impressive. The pace of development and the focus on deep-tech startups is exactly what we need to build a self-reliant tech ecosystem. The 1 lakh crore RDI fund could be a game-changer if implemented transparently.
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Priya S
Quantum biosensors for disease detection? That sounds like science fiction becoming reality! If this leads to earlier and cheaper diagnosis for diseases like cancer or TB, it will be a huge boon for public health in India. Hope the benefits reach common people.
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Rohit P
Good progress, but I hope the focus remains on solid research and not just meeting milestones for headlines. The real test is whether these startups can create globally competitive products and survive in the market. The funding is a good start.
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Vikram M
This is strategic sovereignty. In today's world, whoever leads in quantum tech will have an unbreakable advantage in security, finance, and defence. We cannot afford to be left behind. Kudos to the team! 🚀
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Michael C
The scale of ambition here is remarkable. Developing a 50-1000 qubit quantum computer in 8 years is a massive challenge. Hope the collaboration between academia, startups, and government agencies is smooth. The world is watching.

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