NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Theme : Science & Technology
Paper : GS - 3
It is based on the principles of Quantum mechanics developed in the early 20th century to describe nature at the scale of atoms and elementary particles.
It is manifested through applications in secure communication, disaster management through better prediction, computing, simulation, chemistry, healthcare, cryptography, imaging among others.
TABLE OF CONTENT
- Context
- What is Quantum Technology?
- Positives of the Technology
- Negatives of the Technology
- Status in India
- Steps taken by the Government
- Road Ahead
Context : The Indian Army is developing cryptographic techniques to make its networks resistant to attacks by systems with quantum capabilities.
What is Quantum Technology
- It is based on the principles of Quantum mechanics developed in the early 20th century to describe nature at the scale of atoms and elementary particles.
- It is manifested through applications in secure communication, disaster management through better prediction, computing, simulation, chemistry, healthcare, cryptography, imaging among others.
- Scientists have expanded quantum theory to understand biological phenomena such as smell, consciousness, enzyme catalysis, photosynthesis, avian navigation like that of the Robin, origin of life and effects on coronavirus.
Positives of the Technology
- Quantum computers tap into the quantum mechanical phenomenon to manipulate information and are expected to shed light on processes of molecular and chemical interactions, address difficult optimization problems, and boost the power of artificial intelligence.
- Advances like these could open the door to new scientific discoveries, life-saving drugs, and improvements in supply chains, logistics and the modeling of financial data.
Negatives of the Technology
- Quantum computing has the potential to break the encryption on which most enterprises, digital infrastructures and economies rely.
- The geopolitics of quantum technology could act as a barrier to unlocking its full value National security concerns over sovereignty, and maintaining control over strategic capability.
- It can game-changing the information race and there is a real risk that competition will interfere with international collaboration and widen asymmetries in security and industrial capability.
- China’s quantum advances expand the spectre of quantum cyberattacks against India’s digital infrastructure, which already faces a barrage of attacks from Chinese state-sponsored hackers.
Status in India :
- India has been witnessing growing interest in quantum computing, with students, developers, and academia actively participating.
- Consequently, the country is emerging as a talent hub for quantum computing
Steps taken by the Government :
- Union Budget 2020-21 proposed to spend 8,000 crore ($ 1.2 billion) on the newly launched National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NMQTA) and 3660 Crore for the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
- Budget 2020 allocated Rs 8000 Crore to a National Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applications (NM-QTA) for a period of five years.
- The Union Cabinet approved the launch of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) to make India a leading player in the Cyber-Physical System.
- Quantum Frontier under PMSTIAC Mission: It aims to initiate work in the understanding and control of quantum mechanical systems with a large number of degrees of freedom as one of the great contemporary challenges in fundamental science and technology.
- In February 2022, a joint team of the Defense Research and Development Organization and IIT-Delhi successfully demonstrated a QKD link between two cities in UP — Prayagraj and Vindhyachal — located 100 kilometers apart.
Road Ahead :
- The Indian defense establishment can consider emulating the cryptographic standards set by the US’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) which has developed a series of encryption tools to handle quantum computer attacks.
- India should start implementing and developing capabilities in quantum-resistant communications, specifically for critical strategic sectors.
- Diplomatic partnerships with other “techno-democracies” — countries with top technology sectors, advanced economies, and a commitment to liberal democracy — can help India pool resources and mitigate emerging quantum cyber threats.
FAQs :
1. What is Quantum Technology?
Answer : It is based on the principles of Quantum mechanics developed in the early 20th century to describe nature at the scale of atoms and elementary particles.
2. What is the Quantum Frontier under PMSTIAC Mission ?
Answer : It aims to initiate work in the understanding and control of quantum mechanical systems with a large number of degrees of freedom as one of the great contemporary challenges in fundamental science and technology.