The National Quantum Mission (NQM) is a flagship scheme of the Government of India, approved by the Union Cabinet on April 19, 2023, with a total outlay of ₹6,003.65 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2030-31. The mission was created to seed, nurture, and scale up scientific and industrial Research and Development (R&D) in Quantum Technology (QT), aiming to position India as a global leader in the field. It addresses the problem of securing India's future in a domain considered the next frontier for computing and communication, making India the seventh country to have a dedicated quantum mission.
The NQM is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science & Technology. Its mechanism is structured around four key focus areas, each to be addressed by a dedicated Thematic Hub (T-Hub) established in top academic and R&D institutions. These four verticals are: Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and Quantum Materials & Devices. Key provisions include developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in eight years, and establishing a secure, satellite-based quantum communication network over a range of 2000 km within India. The mission also focuses on developing highly sensitive quantum devices like Atomic Clocks for precision timing and navigation.
The NQM connects directly to national initiatives like Digital India, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) by fostering indigenous technology development and strategic autonomy in quantum security. It builds upon prior initiatives like the QuEST program. A recent milestone achieved under the mission is the demonstration of a 1,000-km secure quantum communication link using Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), which strengthens India's secure communication capabilities for defense and financial systems. The mission was formally approved in April 2023 and became operational in October 2024.