{"id":16880,"date":"2023-07-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-22T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/current_affairs\/uncategorized\/22-07-2023\/advancing-quantum-technology-by-strengthening-security\/"},"modified":"2023-07-22T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-07-22T00:00:00","slug":"advancing-quantum-technology-by-strengthening-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/editorial-analysis\/22-07-2023\/advancing-quantum-technology-by-strengthening-security","title":{"rendered":"Advancing quantum technology by strengthening security"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Advancing quantum technology by strengthening security<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Science & Technology, Indian Economy & Related Issues, Growth & Development<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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India must develop its quantum technologies soon, not just to solve the domestic issues but also to guard the nation from foreign security threats.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
About Quantum Technology\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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About:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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It is based on the <\/span><\/span><\/span>principles of Quantum mechanics<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> developed in the early 20th century to describe nature at the scale of atoms and elementary particles.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Scientists have expanded quantum theory to understand biological phenomena such as<\/span><\/span><\/span> smell, consciousness, enzyme catalysis, photosynthesis, avian navigation<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> like that of the Robin, origin of life and effects on coronavirus.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Applications:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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It is manifested through applications in <\/span><\/span><\/span>secure communication, disaster management through better prediction, computing, simulation, chemistry, healthcare, cryptography, imaging, security, among others<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Global race for quantum technology:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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The race to harness the power of quantum has become a defining battleground between global superpowers, China and the United States, as quantum technologies offer unprecedented advantages in various sectors.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
For now, the<\/span><\/span><\/span> US maintains superiority<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> in quantum technology.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
But <\/span><\/span><\/span>China is gaining momentum, <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>already leading in the development of quantum communications and the total number of quantum technology patents.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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India & quantum technology:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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India has modest capabilities already.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
This includes a<\/span><\/span><\/span> Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) link<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> covering 100 km <\/span><\/span><\/span>between Prayagraj and Vindhyachalm<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, demonstrated by scientists from DRDO and IIT-Delhi.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The Indian Army <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>has set up a Quantum Computing Lab, backed by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) of India.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
About National Quantum Mission (NQM)\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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About:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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It will mainly work towards <\/span><\/span><\/span>strengthening India\u2019s research and development <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>in the quantum arena alongside indigenously building quantum-based (physical qubit) computers which are far more powerful to perform the most complex problems in a highly secure manner.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
DST will lead this national mission<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, supported by other departments.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Presently, R&D works in quantum technologies are underway in the US, Canada, France, Finland, China, and Austria.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Focus:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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The mission will focus on <\/span><\/span><\/span>developing quantum computers (qubit) <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>with physical qubit <\/span><\/span><\/span>capacities ranging between 50 \u2013 1000 qubits <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>developed over the next eight years.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Computers up to 50 physical qubits will be developed over three years,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
50 \u2013 100 physical qubits in five years, and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Computers up to 1000 physical qubits in eight years.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
It will also support the <\/span><\/span><\/span>design and synthesis<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> of quantum materials such as <\/span><\/span><\/span>superconductors, novel semiconductor structures<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, and topological materials for the fabrication of quantum devices.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Single-photon sources\/detectors<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, and <\/span><\/span><\/span>entangled photon sources <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>will also be developed for quantum communications, sensing, and metrological applications.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Themes:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Four <\/span><\/span><\/span>Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> will be set up in top academic and National R&D institutes on the domains –\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Quantum Computing,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Quantum Communication,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Quantum Materials & Devices.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
The hubs will focus on the generation of new knowledge through basic and applied research as well as promote R&D in areas that are mandated to them.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Significance<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Global presence:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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India will be the sixth country to form a quantum mission after the US, Austria, Finland, France and China.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Indicative of Nation\u2019s focus:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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While much of the focus of NQM is centered on scientific research, the very fact that India launched a dedicated national mission to expedite quantum research is in itself an indication of New Delhi\u2019s strategic perspective.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
The NQM is expected to have far-reaching benefits for sectors such as communication, healthcare, finance, energy, drug design, and space applications.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Workforce & infrastructure:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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For India, investments in quantum materials and devices can generate a <\/span><\/span><\/span>cadre <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>of <\/span><\/span><\/span>highly skilled workforce<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
As India gears to become the <\/span><\/span><\/span>world\u2019s third-largest economy by 2027<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, a <\/span><\/span><\/span>strongly networked material infrastructure<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> in the country will be crucial.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
It will cater to <\/span><\/span><\/span>not just quantum technologies<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> but also <\/span><\/span><\/span>other major scientific megaprojects <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>ranging from the semiconductor mission to neutrino observatory and gravitational wave detection.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Boost for other missions:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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It will provide a huge boost to National priorities like<\/span><\/span><\/span> digital India, Make in India, Skill India and Stand-up India, Start-up India, Self-reliant India, <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>and <\/span><\/span><\/span>Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Challenges<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Quantum computing has the <\/span><\/span><\/span>potential to break the encryption<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> on which most enterprises, digital infrastructures and economies rely<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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Businesses and governments could be rendered unable to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the transactions and data<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
The geopolitics of quantum technology<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> could act as a barrier to unlocking its full value National security concerns over sovereignty, and maintaining control over strategic capability.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
It can be the game-changer of the information race and there is a real risk that <\/span><\/span><\/span>competition will interfere with international collaboration<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> and widen asymmetries in security and industrial capability.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
China\u2019s quantum advances <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>expand the spectre of quantum cyberattacks against India\u2019s digital infrastructure, which already faces a barrage of attacks from Chinese state-sponsored hackers.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
India\u2019s dependence on foreign, particularly Chinese hardware, <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>is an additional vulnerability.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Suggestions<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Need of new talent:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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The National Quantum mission will require a <\/span><\/span><\/span>significant component of materials<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>research <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>to be carried out in <\/span><\/span><\/span>goal-oriented multi-institutional consortia.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
This will demand<\/span><\/span><\/span> strategic recruitment of new talent<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, synergistic multi-institutional collaboration and political will to ease bureaucratic norms and prevent delays in infrastructure building \u2014 to ensure that the mission\u2019s deadlines are met.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Need of R&D ecosystem:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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India needs to<\/span><\/span><\/span> create a well-balanced R&D ecosystem<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> where material research for near-term <\/span><\/span><\/span>goals and applications<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> needs to <\/span><\/span><\/span>coexist <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>and collaborate with those with more<\/span><\/span><\/span> fundamental and futuristic objectives<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Security:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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By embracing its potential and fostering collaboration with international partners, India should leverage the NQM\u2019s capacity-building initiatives and strengthen its security posture in the quantum realm.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Way ahead<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Material domains in all aspects of quantum technology \u2014 computing, communications, and sensing \u2014 are still developing.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Hence there is a chance that through timely investment and efficient management, <\/span><\/span><\/span>India will emerge a global leader in the field<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Daily Mains Question<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
[Q]<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> What is the significance of Quantum Technology for India\u2019s defence & security sector? What are the challenges for India\u2019s National Quantum Mission (NQM)?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
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Advancing quantum technology by strengthening security Syllabus: GS3\/ Science & Technology, Indian Economy & Related Issues, Growth & Development In News India must develop its quantum technologies soon, not just to solve the domestic issues but also to guard the nation from foreign security threats. About Quantum Technology\u00a0 About: It is based on the principles […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16537,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[28],"class_list":["post-16880","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorial-analysis","tag-indian-express"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2023\/09\/1438772images.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16880","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16880"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16880\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16880"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16880"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16880"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}