National Quantum Mission (NQM),  an initiative under the Indian Government, has announced to provide financial aid of INR 100 crore to the selected 100 engineering colleges for research and development in quantum technology.

Professor Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, announced this in the presence of  Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, where a major quantum facility was inaugurated.

The objective of this mission, NQM, is to prepare the quantum-ready workforce. For this purpose, there is a need to establish the quantum labs for experimental learning in Undergraduate courses such as quantum computing, communication, sensing, and materials across the country.

The total fund of INR 100 crore has been announced to set up 100 quantum teaching labs across the country.

The initiative is taken with the collaboration of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Under this collab, an undergraduate minor course in quantum technologies has already been launched in December 2024.

IIT Bombay: A Role Model for NQM

IIT Bombay is hosting one of the four major thematic hubs that have been developing under NQM. IIT BOMBAY holds the best infrastructure in quantum sensing and metrology, developed with the Qmet Tech Foundation hub. This involves the advance 

sensing tools invention, such as the Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager.

As the DST Secretary announced the scheme at the IIT Bombay campus, this shows the institute's leadership role and the strong existing infrastructure.

Quantum Computing Fabrication

IIT Bombay is collaborating with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, developing a state-of-the-art Quantum Fabrication and Central Facilities with a total budget of  INR 720 crores.

These new central facilities at IIT Bombay are seen as national assets that can be used by concerned industries, Universities and Research institutes. This will promote the mission to build the quantum-ready workforce and ecosystem across the country.

Quantum Technology is said to be the next technology revolution. The quantum research can be work in the field of drug discovery and material science, in financial modelling and in the Artificial Intelligence arena.

The Indian government identifies the role of quantum energy, research, and the huge need for a skilled workforce in the same field. This is the prompt step taken by the Indian Government to secure the future of the youth and the country.