India has initiated a National Quantum Mission aimed at achieving 1,000 Qubits and a 2,000-km Quantum Communication Network to revolutionize defense, cybersecurity, and healthcare sectors, as stated by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. The Mission, with an allocation of around Rs 6,000 crore, involves 43 institutions across 17 states and 2 Union Territories, structured into four thematic hubs focusing on Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing and Metrology, and Quantum Materials and Devices.
Dr. Singh highlighted the mission’s goals, including developing quantum computers with up to 1,000 physical qubits within eight years, establishing secure ground-to-ground quantum communication networks, enabling long-distance quantum communication, and achieving inter-city Quantum Key Distribution across 2,000 kilometers. He made these remarks during the foundation ceremony of ‘Amaravati Quantum Valley’ in Andhra Pradesh.
Emphasizing the strategic importance of quantum technology, Dr. Singh stressed that India must take the lead in this field to safeguard its communication systems, defense infrastructure, healthcare advancements, and global technological position in the future. The ceremony was graced by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, State Minister for IT, Electronics and Education, Nara Lokesh, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government, Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, and other senior officials.
Dr. Singh commended the technology-driven governance of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, citing the progress witnessed in Andhra Pradesh as a testament to cooperative federalism and the synergy between the Centre and the State. He also mentioned the successful completion of the long-pending National Centre for Ocean Sciences project in Visakhapatnam, which had been stalled for nearly two decades before the current state government took charge.
