**Executive Summary:**
The Government of India is implementing the National Quantum Mission (NQM) to promote research and development in quantum technologies with an outlay of ₹6003.65 crore for eight years. Four Thematic Hubs (THubs) have been established in FY 2024-25, focusing on Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and Quantum Materials & Devices. The mission has specific deliverables with timelines of 3, 5, and 8 years.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **National Quantum Mission (NQM):**
* Aims to promote research and development in quantum technologies.
* Budget outlay of ₹6003.65 crore for a period of eight years.
* **Thematic Hubs (THubs):**
* Four THubs established in FY 2024-25, each focusing on a specific domain:
* Quantum Computing
* Quantum Communication
* Quantum Sensing & Metrology
* Quantum Materials & Devices
* Comprise 14 Technical Groups having 17 Project Teams across 43 institutions (see Annexure I for a list of institutions).
* Incorporated as Section 8 Companies by their respective host institutions.
* Hub Governing Boards (HGBs) constituted for effective governance and administration.
* Funds released to all four THubs to initiate operations.
* Engaged in activities including Technology Development, Human Resource Development, Entrepreneurship Development, Industry Collaboration, and International Collaborations.
* **Mission Timelines and Deliverables:**
* Mission duration: Eight years
* Implementation timelines: 3 years, 5 years, and 8 years.
* Key Deliverables:
* Develop intermediate scale quantum computers with 20-50 physical qubits (3 years), 50-100 physical qubits (5 years), and 50-1000 physical qubits (8 years).
* Develop satellite-based secure quantum communications between two ground stations over 2000 km within India, and long-distance secure quantum communications with other countries.
* Develop intercity quantum key distribution over 2000 km with trusted nodes using wavelength division multiplexing on existing optical fibre.
* Develop multinode quantum network with quantum memories, entanglement swapping and synchronised quantum repeaters at each node (2-3 nodes).
* Develop magnetometers with specific sensitivity levels in atomic systems and nitrogen vacancy centers; gravity measurements with specified sensitivity; and atomic clocks with specified fractional instability.
* Design and synthesis of quantum materials for quantum computing and communication.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Research Institutions (43 listed in Annexure I):**
* *Impact:* These institutions are central to executing the NQM, hosting the THubs, and conducting research in quantum technologies.
* *Action Required:* Actively participate in the THubs, conduct research, and contribute to the mission's deliverables.
* **Scientists and Researchers:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from funding, resources, and infrastructure provided by the NQM to advance their research in quantum technologies.
* *Action Required:* Engage with the THubs, propose research projects, and contribute to the mission's objectives.
* **Government of India (Ministry of Science and Technology):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for the overall implementation, funding, and monitoring of the NQM to achieve its strategic goals.
* *Action Required:* Provide continued funding and support, monitor progress, and ensure effective coordination between the THubs and other stakeholders.
* **Industry:**
* *Impact:* Potential beneficiaries of quantum technologies developed under the NQM, with opportunities for collaboration, technology transfer, and commercialization.
* *Action Required:* Engage with the THubs, explore opportunities for collaboration, and leverage the developed technologies for commercial applications.
Key Entities Referenced
National Quantum Mission: A government initiative (NQM) to promote Research and Development in quantum technologies.
Ministry of Science and Technology: The Indian government ministry responsible for science and technology policy.
Thematic Hubs: Four hubs (THubs) established under the National Quantum Mission, each focusing on a specific domain of quantum technologies.
Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru: A host institution for one of the Thematic Hubs, specifically Quantum Computing.
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras: A host institution for one of the Thematic Hubs, specifically Quantum Communication.
Centre for Development of Telematics, Delhi: An organisation associated with IIT Madras for the Thematic Hub on Quantum Communication.
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay: A host institution for one of the Thematic Hubs, specifically Quantum Sensing Metrology.
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi: A host institution for one of the Thematic Hubs, specifically Quantum Materials Devices.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2939
ANSWERED ON 06/08/2025
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES
2939. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:
Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is implementing the National Quantum
Mission (NQM) to promote Research and Development in quantum
technologies;
(b) if so, the status of the creation and functioning of the four Thematic
Hubs (T-Hubs) under the mission along with the details of the institutions
selected, milestones achieved, and timelines proposed; and
(c) if not, the reasons for delay and steps taken/being taken to
operationalize these hubs effectively?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी तथा पथ्ृ िी विज्ञान मंत्रालय के राज्य मंत्री (स्ितंत्र प्रभार)
(डॉ. जितेंद्र स हं )
(a) Yes, Sir, the Government is implementing the National Quantum
Mission (NQM) to promote research, development, in quantum technologies
with an outlay of ₹6003.65 crore for a period of eight years.
(b) to (c): Under the Mission, four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs), each focusing
on a specific domain of quantum technologies—Quantum Computing,
Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and Quantum
Materials & Devices—have been established in the financial year 2024–25,
comprising of 14 Technical Groups having 17 Project Teams across 43
institutions. The list of institutions is placed at Annexure I. These hubs have
been incorporated as Section-8 Companies by their respective host
institutions and have constituted their respective Hub Governing Boards
(HGBs) for effective governance and administration. Funds have been
released to all four T-Hubs to initiate their operations. The hubs are now
fully functional and are engaged in a range of activities including
Technology Development, Human Resource Development, Entrepreneurship
Development & Industry Collaboration and International Collaborations. The
details of the Thematic Hubs are placed below:
Page 1 of 4Name of the
Technology
S. Name of the Host
Section-8
Vertical
No. Institute
Company
Quantum Indian Institute of Foundation for
1.
Computing Science, Bengaluru QC Innovation
Indian Institute of IITM CDOT
Technology, Madras in Samgnya
Quantum
2.
association with C-DoT, Technologies
Communication
New Delhi Foundation
Quantum
Indian Institute of Qmet Tech
3.
Sensing &
Technology, Bombay Foundation
Metrology
Quantum
Indian Institute of
4. QMD Foundation
Materials &
Technology, Delhi
Devices
The mission is for a period of eight years. However, the implementation
broadly has three timelines, i.e. 3 years, 5 years and 8 years. Following are
the key deliverables of the mission:
i. Develop intermediate scale quantum computers with 20-50 physical
qubits, 50-100 physical qubits and 50-1000 physical qubits in 3 years,
5 years and 8 years, respectively.
ii. Develop satellite based secure quantum communications between
two ground stations over a range of 2000 kilometres within India as
well as long distance secure quantum communications with other
countries.
iii. Develop inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km with
trusted nodes using wavelength division multiplexing on existing
optical fibre.
iv. Develop multi-node quantum network with quantum memories,
entanglement swapping and synchronised quantum repeaters at
each node (2-3 nodes).
v. Develop magnetometers with 1 femto-Tesla/sqrt (Hz) sensitivity in
atomic systems and better than 1 pico-Tesla/sqrt (Hz) sensitivity in
nitrogen vacancy-centers; gravity measurements having sensitivity
better than 100 nano-meter/second2 using atoms and atomic clocks
with 10-19 fractional instability for precision timing, communications
and navigation.
vi. Design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors,
novel Semiconductor structures and topological materials for
fabrication of quantum devices for quantum computing and
communication.
Page 2 of 4Annexure I
List of Institutions supported under National Quantum Mission (NQM)
S. No. Institutes
1 Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
2 Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
3 Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
4 Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
5 Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
6 Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar
7 Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati
8 Indian Institute of Technology, Patna
9 Birla Institute of Technology & Science Pilani, Hyderabad
10 The Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai
11 Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida
12 Society for Electronic Transaction and Security, Chennai
13 Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Bengaluru
14 Indian Institute of Technology, Indore
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research,
15
Thiruvananthapuram
16 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune
17 Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru
National Institute of Science Education and Research,
18
Bhubaneswar
19 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai
20 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad
Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research,
21
Bengaluru
22 Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
23 Indian Institute of Technology, Bhilai
24 Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu
25 Indian Institute of Technology, Tirupati
26 Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
27 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal
28 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology,
29
Thiruvananthapuram
Centre for Development of Advanced Computing,
30
Thiruvananthapuram
Page 3 of 4S. No. Institutes
31 Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar
TCG Centres of Research and Education in Science and
32
Technology, Kolkata
33 Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Prayagraj
34 Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata
35 Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Goa
36 University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
37 S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata
38 Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar
39 Indian Space Research Organisation, Ahmedabad
40 Solid State Physics Laboratory, Delhi
41 Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad
42 Centre for Development of Telematics, Delhi
43 Indian Space Research Organisation, Bengaluru
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