A quantum leap in tech research

Recently, India’s National Quantum Mission received Cabinet approval for about Rs 6,000 crore spread over eight years to scale up scientific and industrial R&D in quantum technologies and their applications. This is a welcome announcement since it signals that our policymakers are willing to invest not only in building world-class capabilities in strategic emerging technologies but also translating them into applications.

To put this investment in perspective, the USA spent about $710 million per year in 2021 on quantum technologies while China conservatively spent about $84 million per year. These numbers are likely to grow in the coming years.