Only ₹17 Cr Disbursed Out of ₹6,000 Cr Budget for India’s National Quantum Mission: RTI

India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM), a government initiative focused on research and development in quantum computing, has so far disbursed only ₹17.02 crore out of its total allocated budget of ₹6,003.65 crore. Approved in April 2023, the mission's funding was intended to be distributed over eight years, from the financial year 2023-24 through to 2030-31.

This, along with the following information, was revealed after a citizen filed an RTI (Right to Information) application to retrieve the details about the mission. 

Out of the total ₹17.02 crore, the allocations were distributed among key Indian institutions specialising in quantum technologies. 

IISc Bengaluru received ₹3.05 crore for Quantum Computing; IIT Madras was awarded ₹5.16 crore for quantum communication; IIT Bombay secured ₹5.79 crore for quantum sensing and metrology; and IIT Delhi obtained ₹3 crore for quantum materials and devices.

The responses to the RTI application also revealed that funding was only provided for research institutions, not for large players or startups. 

However, it was also revealed that under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) scheme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the I-Hub Quantum Technologies Foundation, established at IISER Pune, has selected eight quantum startups for support. These startups include QNu Labs, QPiAI India, Dimira Technologies, Prenishq, QuPrayog, Quanastra, Pristine Diamonds, and Quan2D Technologies.

Recently, it was reported by the Mint that these eight startups, are set to receive funds of ₹30 crore each as part of the NQM. 

In 2020, the Indian government announced the National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NM-QTA), with a budget of ₹8,000 crore. However, from 2020 to 2023, not a single rupee was disbursed. The mission was later rebranded as NQM in 2023. 

The citizen shared the details of the RTI queries and responses on LinkedIn. 

Besides NQM, the country has taken several steps to improve the quantum computing ecosystem. In April, the office of the principal scientific adviser (PSA) to the Indian government released the first edition of the International Technology Engagement Strategy – Quantum (ITES-Q). 

It offers foundational analysis to guide domestic and international stakeholders in government, academia, and industry, facilitating impactful partnerships and enhancing India’s global presence in emerging technologies.

Recently, IBM, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and the government of Andhra Pradesh announced plans to deploy India’s largest quantum computer, set to be housed in the newly established Quantum Valley Tech Park in Amaravati. 

The facility will house an IBM Quantum System Two, which is equipped with a 156-qubit Heron processor. The initiative will focus on developing quantum algorithms and applications for real-world challenges.