Maarg Manthan · Topic 19.10

National Quantum Mission

Current Affairs & Government Schemes › National Missions and Flagship Programmes · Topic 19.10

The National Quantum Mission (NQM) is a Government of India mission approved by the Union Cabinet on 19 April 2023 with an outlay of Rs 6,003.65 crore for 2023-24 to 2030-31, to build a quantum technology ecosystem and make India a leader in the field. The Department of Science and Technology is the nodal department. The mission sets up four Thematic Hubs, called T-Hubs, in quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices. Its targets include intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50 to 1,000 physical qubits and secure quantum communication over distances of up to 2,000 km.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Current Affairs & Government Schemes · National Missions and Flagship Programmes

At a Glance

Approved 19 April 2023, Union Cabinet
Outlay Rs 6,003.65 crore, 2023-24 to 2030-31
Nodal department Department of Science and Technology
Hubs Four Thematic Hubs
Targets 50 to 1,000 physical qubits, 2,000 km quantum links
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Current Affairs and Government Schemes: National Missions and Flagship Programmes

Where Does It Fit?

This topic opens the science mission group of the macro, with the Deep Ocean Mission and the National Critical Mineral Mission to follow. Quantum technology is also relevant to cyber security and defence, which are covered in other subjects of this site. Previous topic: NITI Aayog Coverage 500 blocks in 329 districts, later reported as 513 blocks Indicators…">Aspirational Blocks Programme. Next topic: Deep Ocean Mission (Samudrayaan and Matsya-6000).

What Are the Four Thematic Hubs and Targets of NQM?

Hub domain	Host institution and aim
Quantum computing	Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. Build computers with physical qubits using superconducting, photonic and other platforms
Quantum communication	Indian Institute of Technology Madras with the Centre for Development of Telematics. Secure links using quantum key distribution
Quantum sensing and metrology	Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. Sensors such as atomic clocks and magnetometers
Quantum materials and devices	Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. Materials such as superconductors and topological materials for quantum devices
Governance	A Mission Governing Board and a Mission Technology Research Council guide the work, with the Mission Secretariat in the Department of Science and Technology
Host and spokes	Each hub works with partner institutions across the country, reported as dozens of academic institutions

What Does the Mission Aim to Achieve?

Computing: build intermediate scale quantum computers with 50 to 1,000 physical qubits in eight years on superconducting and photonic platforms
Communication: satellite-based secure quantum communication between ground stations over a range of 2,000 km within India, and long-distance links with other countries
Inter-city QKD: inter-city quantum key distribution over 2,000 km, with multi-node quantum networks and quantum memories
Sensing: magnetometers with high sensitivity for navigation and mapping, and atomic clocks for precise timing
Materials: design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor structures and topological materials
Ecosystem: fund start-ups, train researchers, and build fabrication and test facilities in the country
Economy: a stated aim is to create a base for applications in health, finance, energy and security
Global position: with this mission India joined a group of countries with dedicated national quantum programmes, such as the United States, Austria, Finland, France and Canada

What Else Should You Remember?

Full form and alias: National Quantum Mission, written NQM, is a part of the broader push for deep technology
Qubit: the basic unit of quantum information, which can be in a mix of 0 and 1 states. It is different from a classical bit
Superposition and entanglement: two quantum properties that give quantum computers their power in some tasks
Quantum key distribution: a method of sharing encryption keys by sending quantum states, where any attempt to eavesdrop changes the state and can be detected
Reported expenditure: a reply in Parliament in March 2025 reported spending of about Rs 43 crore against the large outlay, as the early phase focused on setting up hubs, so spending was low at first. The yearly allocation rises in the later years
Industry efforts: Indian firms and states have announced quantum plans, such as a quantum computer by an Indian start-up and a state quantum valley project in Andhra Pradesh, as reported. Claims need checking against official sources
Risks to security: a large quantum computer could break widely used public key encryption, which is why post-quantum cryptography is being developed in parallel
Challenges: shortage of trained researchers, dependence on imported components such as dilution refrigerators and lasers, and long timelines
Link with other missions: like the missions in Deep Ocean Mission (Samudrayaan and Matsya-6000), it is a technology mission with a long horizon and a nodal science department
Latest status: the mission is in progress. Hubs were announced in 2024. Check DST releases for progress against the qubit targets

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Approval: 19 April 2023, Rs 6,003.65 crore, 2023-24 to 2030-31
Nodal body: Department of Science and Technology, not DRDO or ISRO
Hubs: four hubs with different host institutions
Concepts: qubit, superposition, entanglement and quantum key distribution
Common errors: giving the number of hubs as three or five, or confusing qubit with a classical bit

As an analytical point, the mission is a strategic bet on a technology that is still maturing. The main risks are slow spending, a shortage of talent and dependence on imported hardware, so a strong industry link and clear milestones are needed.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Technology Frontier science and security
Facts Outlay, hubs, targets
Concepts Qubit and QKD

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the Deep Ocean Mission and its submersible Matsya-6000. Next topic: Deep Ocean Mission (Samudrayaan and Matsya-6000).

Key People and Terms

NQM National Quantum Mission
Qubit Quantum bit
QKD Quantum key distribution
T-Hub Thematic Hub
Superposition Being in many states at once
Post-quantum cryptography Encryption safe from quantum attacks

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

Approved 19 April 2023.
Outlay Rs 6,003.65 crore, to 2030-31.
Nodal: DST.
Four thematic hubs.
Targets: 50 to 1,000 qubits, 2,000 km links.

Do Not Confuse With

Qubit and bit Quantum versus classical unit of information
Quantum computing and quantum communication Calculation versus secure key sharing
NQM and National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems Quantum-focused mission versus a wider cyber-physical programme

Memory Hook

Four hubs, qubits to count, links that span two thousand kilometres.

Mains Angle

Questions ask about the strategic value of quantum technology and challenges. These points give a balanced frame.

Opportunity Security, computing, sensing
Challenges Talent, hardware, time
Way forward Industry link, milestones, global partnerships

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Discuss the significance of the National Quantum Mission for India’s technological sovereignty and the challenges in achieving its goals.”

How to Answer

Context Global quantum race.
Mission Outlay, hubs, targets.
Significance Security and economy.
Challenges Talent and components.
Way Industry and milestones.

GS Relevance

Prelims: outlay, nodal department, hubs, basic quantum terms. GS Paper 3: science and technology, awareness in the fields of IT, space, computers, robotics and nano-technology, indigenisation of technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Quantum Mission?

The National Quantum Mission (NQM) is a mission approved by the Union Cabinet on 19 April 2023 with an outlay of Rs 6,003.65 crore for 2023-24 to 2030-31. The Department of Science and Technology leads it, and it aims to build quantum computers, secure quantum communication, sensors and materials in India through four thematic hubs.

Which ministry runs the National Quantum Mission?

The Department of Science and Technology, which is part of the Ministry of Science and Technology, is the nodal department. A Mission Governing Board and a Mission Technology Research Council guide the work, and the Mission Secretariat is in the department. It is not run by ISRO or the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

What are the four thematic hubs of the National Quantum Mission?

The four hubs are for quantum computing at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, quantum communication at IIT Madras with C-DOT, quantum sensing and metrology at IIT Bombay, and quantum materials and devices at IIT Delhi. Each hub works with partner institutions across the country.

What are the targets of the National Quantum Mission?

The mission aims to build intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50 to 1,000 physical qubits, develop satellite-based secure quantum communication over 2,000 km within India, set up inter-city quantum key distribution links, and build high-sensitivity magnetometers and atomic clocks. The target period ends with the mission in 2030-31.

What is the latest status of the National Quantum Mission?

The mission is in progress. The four hubs were announced in 2024 and early spending was low, with a Parliament reply in March 2025 reporting about Rs 43 crore spent. Annual allocations rise in later years. Progress against the qubit and communication targets should be checked in Department of Science and Technology releases.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 The National Quantum Mission was approved in 2023.

True

The approval was on 19 April 2023.

2 The mission is led by ISRO.

False

The Department of Science and Technology leads it.

3 The mission has four thematic hubs.