National Quantum Mission Sparks Collaboration Across India

The brainstorming session on the call for pre-proposals for setting up the Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) brought together quantum science researchers and quantum technologists from all over India who were keen to participate in India’s historic National Quantum Mission.

“We have launched this mission with a goal that as we proceed, we will be making very definitive contributions to quantum technologies along with quantum science. Quantum science and quantum technologies cannot be separated. They must go hand in hand and will need a lot of synergy. This is the reason why the concept of hubs has been created. Under each hub, we will have technical groups which will be constituted with participation from more than one institute,” said Professor Ajay Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

Expressing his delight at the huge enthusiasm of researchers and technologists to participate in the brainstorming session, Secretary Department of Science and Technology (DST) Professor Abhay Karandikar said, “This is an ambitious project of the Government of India. We are making significant investments in this mission. A high -powered mission governing board will provide a broad direction to the entire mission and a mission technology research council will look into the execution aspects of this mission. We have invited call for proposals for setting up the T-hubs under this mission in the area of computing, communication, sensing, and devices in consortia mode”.

“This brainstorming meeting will help bring awareness among researchers and foster synergy among the various technical groups. I hope this in person meeting will also be a networking event for all of you where you can interact with other researchers from other institutions and form a collaborative partnership which will be useful for submitting the proposals that we are looking forward to,” he added.

“I hope that we will be able to launch the research activities in this area which will not only make national impact but also a global impact. The NQM was started so that Indian researchers can take a leadership role globally, in quantum science and technology,” Professor Karandikar pointed out.

Dr Akhilesh Gupta, Senior Adviser, Department of Science and Technology (DST) said that the concept of working in consortia mode along with the industry is a unique experiment to ensure rapid outcomes of the Mission.

The dignitaries interacted with 400 in-person and more than 150 online participants from institutions across the country to address their queries regarding the call for pre-proposals for setting up the T-Hubs.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will provide necessary resources for success of submission of pre-proposals and to facilitate researchers.

The NQM which is being implemented by DST will also work in collaboration with industry and startups to translate research to deployable technologies, so that India evolves to a competitive position at the international level in quantum science and technologies.