- Why in news
- On 12 August 2026, the Science Minister told Lok Sabha that the National Quantum Mission is reviewed through governing bodies and reported progress in 2025-26, including four operational Thematic Hubs.
- What it is
- The National Quantum Mission (NQM) is a Government of India mission to build indigenous capability in quantum technologies. It works through four Thematic Hubs at leading institutions, covering computing, communication, sensing and metrology, and materials and devices. It was approved by the Union Cabinet in April 2023 for 2023-24 to 2030-31 with an outlay of about Rs 6,003 crore.
- Four Thematic Hubs
- The hubs cover quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.
- Hub hosts
- Computing hub is at IISc Bengaluru with C-DAC; communication hub is at IIT Madras with C-DOT; sensing and metrology hub is at IIT Bombay; materials and devices hub is at IIT Delhi.
- Governance
- Implementation is monitored by the Mission Governing Board, the Mission Technology Research Council and other expert committees.
- DRDO products
- DRDO has transferred technology for Quantum Random Number Generators and an RFSoC-based Controller for Quantum Computer Processors to industry.
- Qniverse
- MeitY built Qniverse, a unified quantum computing platform integrated with HPC systems.
- Nodal department
- NQM is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology.
- 1,000-km QKD network
- A 1,000-km quantum communication network has been demonstrated under the mission, against a target of 2,000 km over eight years.
- Who built it
- The network used indigenous technology from QNu Labs, a startup supported under the mission that works on quantum-safe cybersecurity.
- Startup support
- Nine more startups are now supported, taking the total to 17.
- RDI fund managers
- TDB and BIRAC act as second-level fund managers under the Research, Development and Innovation funding framework.
Don’t confuse with Qubit vs classical bit: A bit is 0 or 1; a qubit can be in a superposition of both until measured.
Don’t confuse with PQC vs QKD: Post-Quantum Cryptography uses classical algorithms resistant to quantum attacks; QKD uses quantum physics to distribute keys.
Don’t confuse with QKD vs post-quantum cryptography: QKD uses quantum physics to share keys. Post-quantum cryptography uses classical algorithms designed to resist quantum computers.
Don’t confuse with Quantum computing vs quantum communication: Computing uses qubits to process information. Communication secures the transfer of information, for example with QKD.
Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.
Why it matters
- Builds indigenous capability in strategic areas like secure communication, navigation and cybersecurity.
- Links academia, industry, startups and defence agencies in one ecosystem.
- Secure quantum communication can protect defence, financial systems and critical infrastructure.
- Backing startups builds indigenous capability in a strategic technology.
Problems
- Quantum hardware needs costly fabrication and skilled talent, which India lacks at scale.
- Moving from lab research to commercial products is slow.
- Scaling lab demonstrations into a reliable, affordable national network is hard.
- Reliance on imported components and a shortage of skilled talent can slow progress.
Way forward
- Expand teaching labs and training to widen the talent pool.
- Support startups and tech transfer with sustained funding and procurement.
- Expand testbeds and procurement from domestic startups to build demand.
- Strengthen industry-academia links and skilling, and use blended finance such as optionally convertible debt.
Put in your answer
Mission outlay: NQM was approved in April 2023 with about Rs 6,003 crore for 2023-24 to 2030-31.
Startup support: The Mission supports 17 quantum technology startups.
Teaching labs: 23 Quantum Teaching Laboratories are being set up for skills and human resources.
- 2016Mains GS3 · Q13Nanotechnology's significance and features of India's Nanoscience Mission
- 2025Mains GS3 · Q16Challenges facing semiconductor industry and features of India Semiconductor Mission
- 2025Prelims Q47Correct statements on Majorana 1 chip, quantum computing, and deep learning
- 2026Prelims Q49Correct statements on NQM: qubit computers and four Thematic Hubs
- 2022Prelims Q35Context in which the term 'qubit' is mentioned
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.The Quantum Sensing and Metrology Thematic Hub under the National Quantum Mission is hosted by IIT Bombay.
- 2.Qniverse, a quantum computing platform integrated with High Performance Computing systems, was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
- 3.In Quantum Key Distribution, an eavesdropper's attempt to intercept the shared key can be detected.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 13
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The Quantum Communication Thematic Hub under the National Quantum Mission is hosted by IIT Madras.
True. IIT Madras hosts the quantum communication hub, in association with C-DOT.
2.The Quantum Sensing and Metrology Thematic Hub is hosted by IIT Kanpur.
False. It is hosted by IIT Bombay; IIT Kanpur has a research infrastructure facility.
3.The Mission is monitored by bodies including the Mission Governing Board and the Mission Technology Research Council.
True. MGB and MTRC are part of the governance mechanism.
4.The four Thematic Hubs comprise 14 Technical Groups and 17 Project Teams.
True. The release gives 14 Technical Groups and 17 Project Teams.
5.Qniverse, a quantum computing platform integrated with HPC systems, was developed by DRDO.
False. Qniverse was developed by MeitY.
6.Quantum Key Distribution allows two parties to share an encryption key whose interception by an eavesdropper can be detected.
True. QKD uses quantum properties so that eavesdropping disturbs the system and is detectable.
7.A qubit can exist only in the state 0 or 1 at a given time, like a classical bit.
False. A qubit can be in a superposition of 0 and 1.
8.The National Quantum Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet in April 2023 with an outlay of about Rs 6,003 crore.
True. Approved April 2023, outlay about Rs 6,003 crore, for 2023-24 to 2030-31.
9.The mission's target is to achieve a quantum communication network of 2,000 km over an eight-year period.
True. The target is 2,000 km over eight years.
10.Quantum key distribution relies on classical mathematical complexity, such as factoring large numbers, to keep keys secure.
False. QKD relies on quantum physics: any eavesdropping disturbs the quantum states and can be detected.
11.The National Quantum Mission has four Thematic Hubs, covering computing, communication, sensing and metrology, and materials and devices.
True. Four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) cover these four areas.
12.The Technology Development Board and BIRAC act as first-level fund managers under the RDI funding framework.
False. They are second-level fund managers.
13.The National Quantum Mission is administered by the Department of Atomic Energy.
False. It is administered by the Department of Science and Technology.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.