Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context :

• Quantum technologies are becoming very important & countries are competing to develop them.
• These technologies can have a big impact on national security, economy & technological leadership.
• Niti Aayog is India's policy think tank. Recently, It has warned about the risks posed by quantum technology like data protection & national security.
• So, India needs to take steps such as adopting post quantum cryptography (PQC) and forming partnerships with other countries.

What is Quantum Technology?

• What is Quantum Computing?:
  • Normal computers process data in 0s & 1s. But these quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits.
  • A qubit can exist in more than one state at the same time. It allows quantum computers to solve problems much faster than normal computers.
  • Entanglement is also another important concept. This means that the state of one qubit can affect another, even if they have distance from each other.
• What are the Security Problems:
  • Quantum computers can break the encrypted systems which we use today to protect things like:
    • Online banking
    • Email encryption
    • Government and business data
  • This would make internet security methods of the present era useless & it can put privacy & national security at serious risk.

What are the Global Investments in Quantum Technology

• Over ₹3 lakh crore has been pledged by 30+ countries to develop quantum technology. Some of the biggest investors are:
  • China: ₹1.2 lakh crore
  • United States: ₹40,000 crore
  • India is planning to invest ₹750 crore through the National Quantum Mission (NQM).
  • NQM was launched in 2023.
• India’s Investment in Quantum:
  • India's investment is less than China and the US in quantum technology. But India is focusing on innovative and cost effective solutions.
  • Niti Aayog CEO Subrahmanyam said that India has shown success in space missions like Mangalyaan (Mars mission) & Chandrayaan (lunar mission) at very low cost.
  • This means that it shows the country's ability to come up with smart & affordable solutions.

What is India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM)

• NQM aims to develop India’s capabilities in quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensors, & quantum materials.
• The mission focuses on improving quantum hardware & creating a quantum startup ecosystem in India.
• What are the Budget and Allocation:
  • The total budget for NQM is ₹6,003 crore.
  • The budget for the 2023-24 financial year was reduced from ₹427 crore to ₹86 crore.
  • But Union Budget 2025 allocated ₹600 crore to the National Quantum Mission.
  • This year's funding is nearly 600% higher if compared to last year.
• What are the Focus Areas:
  • Building better quantum processors
  • Quantum communications: Developing secure methods of communication that are immune to quantum attacks
  • Quantum sensors: Improving sensors for use in areas such as defense & healthcare.
  • Quantum materials: Researching materials needed for quantum technology

What are the Risks and National Security Concerns

• Security Risks from Quantum Technology:
  • As quantum computing develops, countries can face unexpected technological challenges.
  • If countries are not prepared for it then they can face risks such as:
    • National security risk: Quantum computers can break the encryption that protects sensitive government & military data.
    • Economic risk: Countries that lag behind in quantum technology can lose their competitive edge in critical industries such as finance & technology.
    • Loss of technological leadership: Countries that cannot keep pace with quantum advancements can fall behind in future technological developments.
  • Export Control Risks:
    • As quantum technologies become important to national security, many countries started placing export restrictions on important components used in quantum research, such as:
      • Arbitrary Waveform Generators (AWGs)
      • Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs)
      • Specialized lasers
      • Cryogenic refrigerators used for cooling quantum systems.
        

Importance of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)

• What is Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)?
  • PQC refers to new cryptographic systems.
  • They are designed to be secure against attacks from quantum computers.
  • Since quantum computers can easily break the encryption systems we rely on today. So these PQC will be necessary to protect sensitive data & communication in the future.
• Why PQC is Important:
  • Countries that develop PQC first will be able to protect their data & information from quantum enabled threats.
  • Countries that don’t adopt PQC in time can remain vulnerable to cyberattacks from quantum computers.

The Global Quantum Landscape

• United States:
  • The US is a leader in quantum technology. There is a combination of government funding & private sector
  • Big companies like Google, IBM, and Microsoft are advancing quantum computing along with startups like PsiQuantum.
  • The National Quantum Initiative Act was passed in 2018, and it is supporting quantum research and development in the US.
• China:
  • China’s quantum strategy is mainly state driven with billions of dollars invested in quantum research.
  • China’s universities like USTC (University of Science and Technology of China) & Zhejiang University have made major progress in areas like quantum communication & quantum cryptography.
  • China’s Military Plans: China is also working to include quantum technology in its military & intelligence systems to build quantum based encryption & surveillance tools.
• European Union:
  • The European Union has also launched the Quantum Flagship Initiative.
  • It is a 10-year program worth €1 billion. And it is aimed at boosting research & collaboration in quantum technology across Europe.

What is the status of India’s Quantum Ecosystem :

• Indian Academic and Research Involvement:
  • Over 170 professors from leading Indian universities and research centres are working in fields like quantum computing, quantum communication, sensors, and materials.
  • India has been strong in basic science but it is now shifting towards applying quantum research in real world technologies.
• Quantum Startups in India:
  • India’s quantum startup scene is growing in areas like quantum software, quantum algorithms, and quantum-safe cryptography.
  • However, most of these startups are self funded or they have received limited investment. So this makes it harder for them to scale up compared to their counterparts in the US & China.

Source: IE