**Executive Summary**
The Government of India is implementing the National Quantum Mission (NQM) with an outlay of ₹6003.65 crore over an eight-year period to advance quantum research, technology, and entrepreneurship. The mission operates through four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) and sets specific technical milestones for 3, 5, and 8-year intervals, including the development of quantum computers and secure communications. A key focus of the mission is inclusivity, evidenced by the awarding of fellowships to eight women researchers and the training of 220 women participants to date.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Mission Infrastructure and Governance**
* Establishment of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in F.Y. 2024-25: Quantum Computing (IISc Bengaluru), Quantum Communications (IIT Madras), Quantum Sensing (IIT Bombay), and Quantum Materials (IIT Delhi).
* The network comprises 14 Technical Groups and 17 Project Teams involving 152 researchers from 43 institutions across 17 states and 2 UTs.
* Focus areas include technology development, human resource development, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration.
* **Technical Goals and Deliverables**
* **Quantum Computing:** Develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 20-50 physical qubits (3 years), 50-100 qubits (5 years), and 50-1000 qubits (8 years).
* **Communications:** Establish satellite-based secure communications and inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km using existing optical fiber.
* **Sensing and Metrology:** Develop high-sensitivity magnetometers, gravity sensors, and atomic clocks for precision timing and navigation.
* **Materials:** Design and synthesize superconductors and novel semiconductor structures for quantum device fabrication.
* **Regional Contributions and Funding (Maharashtra Focus)**
* IIT Bombay serves as the Host Institute for the Quantum Sensing & Metrology Hub with a sanctioned budget of ₹558.76 crore.
* TIFR Mumbai and IISER Pune have been sanctioned ₹71.03 crore and ₹30.61 crore respectively for projects involving superconducting qubits and spintronic materials.
* VNIT Nagpur is among 23 institutions selected to establish Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories for hands-on training.
* **Inclusivity and Entrepreneurship**
* Eight fellowships have been awarded specifically to women researchers under the Quantum Sensing & Metrology Hub.
* Approximately 220 women have been trained through various upskilling programs in quantum science.
* T-Hubs have launched a rolling call to support startups; Maharashtra-based QuPrayog Pvt. Ltd. has already received support.
**Impact Analysis**
**Researchers and Academic Institutions**
* **Impact:** They gain access to substantial funding and a collaborative pan-India network to conduct high-end research and capacity building.
* **Action Required:** Must meet phased deliverables regarding qubit development, material synthesis, and technical publications.
**Women Researchers and Students**
* **Impact:** Improved access to specialized fellowships, training, and upskilling initiatives designed to increase gender participation in quantum technology.
* **Action Required:** Engage with T-Hub initiatives and apply for fellowships and capacity-building programs.
**Startups and Industry Partners (including MSMEs)**
* **Impact:** Benefits from technology translation, transfer mechanisms, and financial support through rolling calls for quantum technology startups.
* **Action Required:** Collaborate with T-Hubs for industry engagement and pursue technology transfer opportunities for indigenous products.
**Undergraduate Students**
* **Impact:** Access to practical, hands-on training in quantum technologies through newly established teaching laboratories.
* **Action Required:** Enroll in training modules provided by selected institutions like VNIT Nagpur.
Key Entities Referenced
National Quantum Mission (NQM): A flagship initiative of the Government of India with a ₹6003.65 crore outlay aimed at promoting research, development, and innovation in quantum technologies over an eight-year period.
Ministry of Science & Technology: The primary government ministry responsible for the implementation and oversight of the National Quantum Mission and its associated scientific research programs.
Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs): Four specialized research clusters (Quantum Computing, Communications, Sensing, and Materials) established under the NQM to drive technology development, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology who provided the official parliamentary response regarding the progress and inclusivity of quantum research initiatives.
Ministry of Science & Technology
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: WOMEN'S
PARTICIPATION IN QUANTUM RESEARCH AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP INCLUDING
FELLOWSHIPS
Posted On: 18 MAR 2026 3:53PM by PIB Delhi
The Government of India is implementing the National Quantum Mission (NQM) to promote research,
development, and innovation in quantum technologies with an outlay of ₹6003.65 crore for a period of
eight years. Under the Mission, four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs), namely Quantum Computing (led by IISc
Bengaluru), Quantum Communications (led by IIT Madras), Quantum Sensing (led by IIT Bombay) and
Quantum Materials (led by IIT Delhi) have been established in F.Y. 2024-25. These T-Hubs comprises of 14
Technical Groups having 17 Project Teams bringing together a total of 152 researchers from 43 Institutions
across 17 states and 2 UTs, including Maharashtra. 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.
Institutions from Maharashtra participating as lead or partner (member) institutions in these T-Hubs include
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)
Pune, and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Mumbai. IIT Bombay is the Host Institute for the
Quantum Sensing & Metrology Hub, while the other institutions participate as Lead Institution and Member
Institution in various Technical Groups under different technology verticals.
Details of the institutions, approved projects and funding is given in table below:
Institution Approved Projects Total Released Utilized
Sanctioned (₹ Cr)
(₹ Cr)
(₹ Cr till
Mar 2031)
IISER Pune a. Neutral Atom Qubits 30.61 18.14 4.71
b. 2D Spintronic MaterialsIIT Bombay a. Qmet Tech Foundation (T-Hub for 558.76 114.89 22.31
Quantum Sensing & Metrology)
b. Spin Qubits
c. 2D Spintronic Materials;
d. NV-centre based Sensors;
e. Superconducting Qubits;
f. Quantum Dots;
g. 2D Photonic Qubits;
h. Quantum Enhanced Sensors
TIFR Mumbai a. Superconducting Qubits; 71.03 36.15 3.63
b. NV-centre based Sensors;
c. Quantum Enhanced Sensors
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.
Under the NQM, institutions in Maharashtra, including IIT Bombay, IISER Pune and TIFR Mumbai, have
contributed to research, capacity building, startups and technology development. Under the call for
Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories in Quantum Technologies, VNIT Nagpur has been selected among 23
institutions across India to provide hands-on training in quantum technologies. Further, IISER Pune, TIFR
Mumbai and IIT Bombay have been selected under the Technical Groups on Quantum Algorithms.
Quantum Sensing & Metrology Hub at IIT Bombay, has developed three prototypes namely Portable
Magnetometer, Quantum Diamond Microscope and Nano-positioner. Research groups in Maharashtra have
produced around 10 publications and trained about 500 participants in the area of Quantum Technologies.
Entrepreneurship and industry collaboration form an important mandate under the Mission. Accordingly,
the T-Hubs have launched a rolling call to support startups in quantum technologies. One startup from
Maharashtra, namely QuPrayog Pvt. Ltd., has been supported.
The National Quantum Mission is a pan-India initiative implemented through a collaborative network of T-
Hubs, academic institutions, R&D laboratories, startups and industry partners. The activities under the
Mission including research projects, fellowships, training programmes, startup support and capacity-building initiatives are open to researchers, students and entrepreneurs across the country, including women.
Further, under the Quantum Sensing & Metrology Hub at IIT Bombay, fellowships have been awarded to
eight women researchers, including three from Maharashtra, and various training and upskilling
programmes have trained about 220 women participants in quantum science and technology.
Under NQM, technology development and skill development are carried out through T-Hubs involving
academia, R&D institutions, startups and industry partners. These hubs facilitate industry engagement and
interactions that support technology translation and transfer to industry, including MSMEs and startups.
Additionally, the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) established in the area of Quantum Technologies at
IISER Pune, has enabled technology transfer through the indigenous iQuantrol Arbitrary Waveform
Generator (AWG) developed in collaboration with Sci-Com Software India Pvt. Ltd.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent charge) for the Ministry of Science and
Technology & Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
*****
NKR/FT/AK/NM
(Release ID: 2241761) Visitor Counter : 67