When all kinds of sanctions are coming up in the world, it is important for India to develop and implement very specific technologies, and quantum was one of them, said Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman, Mission Governing Board of National Quantum Mission and EPIC Foundation.

Autonomy in tech areas

According to Mr. Chowdhry, the country required strategic autonomy, especially in critical tech areas under threat of international sanctions.

A national plan was developed years ago for a large-scale quantum machine, now involving numerous institutions.

Quantum Mission

The government has already recognised these areas under the National Quantum Mission, earmarked ₹4,000 crore for quantum technology to be developed in India.

Of this, over ₹2000 crore is for Space, Sefence, Atomic Energy and MeitY, he said, speaking at a fireside chat with Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s Minister for IT/BT, at Quantum India Bengaluru, a new annual exposition launched by Karnataka on Thursday.

“Quantum communication is a current strength in computing, however, India is a little behind but progress is ongoing,” he added.

National startup schemes were designed to promote quantum innovation, offering sizable funding without initial equity demands, and startups could now apply at any time, and targets were tied to further funding increases, Mr. Chowdhry added.

On Karnataka’s focus on quantum technology, Mr. Kharge said the State government recognised the need for more investment in quantum technology, not just at the top, but starting “at the bottom of the pyramid.”

The recent budgets allocated funds for quantum initiatives, he said.

The chat session focused on academia-industry collaboration, emphasised the need for committee formation, the need for curriculum changes and the need for building an ecosystem for quantum and AI.

It also focused on startup and industry engagement, State and Central funding, and strategic autonomy.