India is making significant investments toward building sovereignty in the field of quantum technologies. In total, the Indian government plans to invest ₹820 crores in developing a quantum technology ecosystem through various types of funding that focus on the development of Quantum Technology capabilities in both the educational and research institution sectors
As part of that plan, India will set up 100 teaching labs in various engineering colleges where students will have access to next-generation technologies with ₹1 crore going towards building, equipping, and maintaining those labs. The success of this initiative can be seen in the large number of proposals (over 500) received as a result of this project.
The initiative – announced on the day the IIT Bombay Quantum Research Institute opened its doors, during which Union Minister of Science Jitendra Singh provided a comprehensive overview of the Indian government’s vision for technological independence. Singh noted that it will be imperative for India to build its own quantum hardware as opposed to relying on foreign infrastructure, and his ministry’s plans are consistent with the government’s National Quantum Mission and National Quantum Strategy to position India as a global leader in Quantum Computing, Sensing, Materials, and Communication technologies.
₹720 crore push to build quantum facilities.
This announcement also represents a major commitment by the Indian government to support the development of a skilled quantum workforce and facilitate advanced research facilities across the entire country.
At the event, the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, Abhy Karandikar, stated that the new teaching labs will further enhance the undergraduate quantum programs offered by various institutions in India.
He also mentioned that the initiative will enhance AICTE; and that the new labs will complement the additional training programs provided by AICTE; and encourage collaboration amongst educational institutions and industry partners.
In addition to the creation of the new teaching labs, the government approved the establishment of four Major Quantum Fabrication Facilities and a Central Facility to be built by IIT Bombay, IISc Bengaluru, IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur, with a total investment of ₹720 Crores (approximately). The Honorable Minister indicated that these Major Quantum Fabrication Facilities and the Central Facility will allow researchers and students to conduct fabrication and characterisation in the fields of Quantum Sensing, Superconducting and Photonic Qubits and Quantum Materials.
He stated that this type of facility is necessary because it provides the “hardware backbone” for reliable, scalable, secure, and healthy quantum systems. The government hopes that having this infrastructure in place will allow for greater indigenous fabrication of chips, shorter development timelines, and ultimately faster innovation throughout academia, Startups and Strategic Sectors.
The new hubs are strengthening India’s capabilities
Many of India’s new Quantum Hubs are being coordinated by IIT Bombay and IIT Kanpur. The focus of the new hubs will also cover Quantum Sensing and Metrology. The work on Quantum Computing hardware (Superconducting, Photonic and Spin-based qubits) will be done by IISc Bengaluru and IIT Bombay.
IIT Delhi will focus on quantum materials and devices. Based on their collaborative working model, the institutes will develop indigenous means for India to Design and Fabricate Local Quantum Devices, thereby reducing dependence on international vendors. The new facilities will be available to all educational institutions, New Start-Ups, MSMEs and Defence Related Agencies. The establishment of this shared-access model will enable an extensive innovation pipeline to be developed, and allow for broader participation from Indian Industry.
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Focus on cryogenics and research infrastructure
It also highlighted a new laboratory for working with cryogenic temperatures at the launch event. In addition to the use of cryogenic temperatures in a large number of Quantum Research experiments, cryogenic temperatures are also used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems and Advanced Microscopy systems. Jitendra Singh stated that the new Helium Recovery System will allow for nearly a 10X reduction in costs associated with Quantum Research experiments.
He stated that strengthening Cryogenic Systems for the development of Quantum Materials and Devices is critical because of the need for Extreme Cooling of Superconducting Qubits and Quantum Sensors. The development of India’s Quantum Research will involve collaboration between Government, Academia and Industry.
The importance of this investment and where it takes us
A combined investment of ₹820 crore in quantum laboratories and manufacturing facilities is a large commitment towards the future of technology. According to industry experts, it is also arguably the biggest move by India as far as achieving scientific independence goes.
The establishment of these facilities will provide support to chip-level R&D, build specialized job creation opportunities for India’s future Quantum Engineers, and assist India in developing capabilities needed to compete with the global players in Quantum hardware. At the same time, India’s Strategic sectors will see improved turnaround times due to better prototypes and decreased reliance on foreign imports, demonstrating India’s strong intent to take the lead in developing cutting-edge technologies.
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