Insider Brief:
- India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM) has established four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) to promote innovation in quantum computing, communication, sensing, and materials, in order to position the country as a leader in quantum technology.
- The NQM emphasizes collaboration across academia, industry, and government, integrating initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ to build a skilled workforce and encourage quantum-driven entrepreneurship.
- The mission intends to create societal impact by advancing quantum technologies across critical sectors such as telecommunications, defense, healthcare, and finance.
PRESS RELEASE — In a recent release, India’s National Quantum Mission announced the formation of four quantum Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) that will drive the country’s leadership in quantum technology. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, at the virtual launch ceremony, highlighted the strategic importance of the NQM, especially its potential to create jobs, encourage entrepreneurship, and elevate India in pursuit of global quantum research.
Establishing Thematic Hubs to Drive Innovation
A key element of the NQM is the establishment of four T-Hubs across leading institutions in India, including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru and Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) at Madras, Bombay, and Delhi. These hubs will specialize in areas such as quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.
According to the release, these hubs are the centerpiece of a coordinated national effort, with 152 researchers from 43 institutions involved. Dr. Singh lauded the multidisciplinary collaboration that brings together experts from physics, computer science, engineering, and material science, ensuring a holistic approach to advancing quantum technologies.
The T-Hubs will operate under a Hub-Spoke-Spike model, ensuring coordination across institutions and the ability of research groups to collaborate on ambitious projects. This model creates a networked approach to research, where the hubs serve as central nodes connecting various research institutions and industry partners.
Closing the Gap Between Research and Industry
The NQM is not only a quantum research initiative but, as noted in the release, a strategic investment in India’s future technological capabilities. Dr. Singh stressed that the mission is deeply integrated with other national initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India,’ strongly encouraging self-reliance in critical technology sectors. The mission’s focus on building a highly skilled workforce in quantum technology, particularly in emerging fields such as quantum computing and communication, is key to India’s long-term ambitions.
Among the many strengths of the T-Hubs, as highlighted by the Minister, is their commitment to bridging the gap between research and industry. By encouraging innovation and supporting quantum-driven entrepreneurship, the NQM intends to make it so innovations in quantum technologies are not confined to laboratories but have the potential to make a tangible impact in the marketplace.
Additionally, startups in the quantum field will receive critical support in order to form a diverse ecosystem for quantum-driven innovations. The NQM is especially interested in seeing this ecosystem lead to the development of tangible solutions for fields such as telecommunications, healthcare, defense, and finance sectors.
Driving Societal Impact Through Quantum Technology
According to the release, the vision of the NQM extends beyond research and technological development; it also seeks to create societal impact. By advancing quantum technologies, the intention is that NQM will drive innovations in critical sectors, making them more resilient and efficient. The T-Hubs are a way to realize that vision, each a central node specifically focused on the assigned quantum technology. With dedicated teams working toward singular goals within each hub, the potential for success is amplified, as this focused approach allows for more streamlined progress and innovation.
The Thematic Hubs:
Thematic Hub for Quantum Computing
- Location: Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
- Institutions Involved: IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Ropar, IIT Guwahati, IIT Patna, BITS Hyderabad, IMSc Chennai, JIIT Noida, SETS Chennai, CDAC Bengaluru, IIT Indore, IISER Thiruvananthapuram, IISER Pune, RRI Bengaluru, NISER Bhubaneswar, TIFR Mumbai, TIFR Hyderabad and JNCASR Bengaluru
Thematic Hub for Quantum Communication
- Location: Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
- Institutions Involved: ISRO Ahmedabad, ISRO Satellite Centre, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Bhilai, IIT Roorkee, IIT Jammu, IIT Tirupati, IIT Patna, IIT Indore, IIT Hyderabad, IISc Bengaluru, IISER Bhopal, IISER Mohali, RRI Bengaluru, HRI Prayagraj, IIST DOS Thiruvananthapuram, CDAC Bengaluru, C-DAC Thiruvananthapuram and SETS Chennai
Thematic Hub for Quantum Sensing and Metrology
- Location: Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
- Institutions Involved: IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Gandhinagar, IISER Bhopal, IIT Ropar, TCG CREST Chennai, TIFR Bombay, TIFR Hyderabad, HRI Prayagraj, IACS Kolkata, BITS Goa, University of Hyderabad and SN Bose NCBS
Thematic Hub for Quantum Materials and Devices
- Location: Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
- Institutions Involved: IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Bhubaneswar, SSPL- DRDO Delhi, IACS Kolkata and IISER Pune
