India’s Quantum Mission: A Game Changer or Just a Gamble?
Have you ever wondered why some countries lead the tech race while others lag behind? India, with its vast potential, is striving to catch up in the quantum technology revolution. Despite being behind the United States and China, India’s recent launch of a six-thousand crore rupee National Quantum Mission could change the game. But can India really bridge the gap and become a global leader in quantum tech? Let’s dive into this intriguing story to find out.
Have you ever wondered why some countries seem to be light years ahead in technology while others are just catching up? Well, let’s dive into the fascinating world of quantum technologies to understand why India, despite its massive potential, has a significant gap to bridge in this cutting-edge field.
Imagine a race where everyone is sprinting towards a future filled with unimaginable technological advancements. In this race, countries like the United States and China are leading the pack, having already secured numerous patents and published research in top journals. India, on the other hand, is still trying to catch up. But there’s hope on the horizon. India’s recent decision to launch a National Quantum Mission worth six thousand crore rupees could be a game-changer.
Itihaasa, a non-profit organization that tracks the evolution of technology and business in India, recently assessed the country’s potential in quantum technologies. The findings were a mixed bag. On one hand, India is among seventeen countries with dedicated government programs to support quantum research. On the other hand, it lags behind in terms of committed funding and current capabilities compared to the United States and China.
To put things into perspective, India’s investment of six thousand crore rupees, roughly equivalent to seventy-five crore dollars over five years, pales in comparison to China’s whopping fifteen billion dollars. The United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and South Korea are also far ahead with their multi-billion dollar investments.
Quantum technologies, if you’re wondering, are about as strange and exciting as they sound. They exploit the peculiar and counter-intuitive properties of sub-atomic particles, like electrons, to create processes and devices with capabilities that classical systems can’t match. Think of a quantum computer as a super-genius that can solve problems no ordinary computer can tackle, no matter how powerful it is.
The potential of quantum technologies is enormous, with the power to revolutionize fields like computing, communications, cryptography, cybersecurity, and healthcare. Yet, most of these technologies are still in development. Scientists are still figuring out how to harness the quantum behavior of sub-atomic particles effectively.
India’s National Quantum Mission aims to develop capabilities in four key areas: quantum computing, communications, sensors and metrology (the science of measurements), and materials. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary in the Department of Science and Technology, believes that India has a realistic chance of becoming a global leader in quantum communications and sensing within five years. He points out that India already has advanced capabilities in these areas and even a few start-ups making significant strides.
However, for other technologies, including quantum computing, India will need to put in a lot more effort. But here’s the silver lining — India is not starting from scratch. It is among the top five, top ten, or top fifteen countries in various quantum technology fields. Principal Scientific Advisor Ajay Sood is optimistic too. He acknowledges the gap but believes it can be bridged. In some areas, India might be just a year behind; in others, maybe four to five years. But with hard work over the next few years, the transformational benefits of these technologies are within reach.
The assessment by Itihaasa also found that India has a decent pool of researchers already working in quantum technologies. About one hundred and ten to one hundred and forty-five principal investigators, seventy-five to one hundred post-doctoral researchers, and three hundred to four hundred PhD students are currently engaged in this field. Additionally, there are fifty to one hundred MTech students working in related areas. However, these graduates will still need specialized training to become a relevant workforce in quantum technologies.
Interestingly, India produces the highest number of graduates in subjects related to quantum technologies, such as biochemistry, chemistry, physics, electronics and chemical engineering, mathematics, and statistics. Over eighty-two thousand students graduate in these fields every year. Only the European Union, when taken as a whole, produces more.
Given this, the government should consider creating a dedicated science and technology cadre for each of the four areas identified in the National Quantum Mission, similar to the specialized cadres in India’s space and nuclear sectors. This could help streamline efforts and accelerate progress.
As we stand on the brink of a quantum revolution, India has a challenging yet exciting path ahead. The National Quantum Mission is a crucial step towards bridging the gap and positioning India as a significant player in this futuristic field.
So, as India gears up for this monumental task, one can’t help but wonder — will India be able to leapfrog into the future of quantum technologies, or will it continue to play catch-up? The next few years will tell.
References
Dargan, J. (2024, May 24). India’s National Quantum Mission’s $726M Investment to Compete with Global Quantum Technology. The Quantum Insider.
India has large gap to bridge in quantum capabilities. (2024, July 3). The Indian Express.
Unleashing the power of quantum computing: A transformative frontier for India. (2024, January 27). Financialexpress.
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