India among top nations in quantum technology, says science minister Jitendra Singh
The Ministry of Science and Technology stated that India is now among the leading nations in advanced quantum technology, citing progress under the National Quantum Mission
The statement highlighted expanding access to education and opportunity through technology and artificial intelligence
India's Chandrayaan mission's detection of water molecules on the Moon was cited as an example of India's independent scientific capability
The opening of the space and nuclear sectors to private companies was noted as a driver of rapid sectoral expansion
The remarks were made in the context of India's broader progress in manufacturing and technology development
National Quantum Mission (NQM)
The National Quantum Mission is India's dedicated national programme to develop and scale quantum technologies — computing, communication, sensing and materials — approved to build indigenous capability and reduce dependence on foreign quantum infrastructure.
Key Details
- Approved by the Union Cabinet on April 19, 2023, with an outlay of ₹6,003.65 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2030-31
- Implemented through four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) hosted at leading institutions: Quantum Computing (IISc Bengaluru), Quantum Communication (IIT Madras and C-DOT New Delhi), Quantum Sensing & Metrology (IIT Bombay), and Quantum Materials & Devices (IIT Delhi)
- Coordinates 14 Technical Groups spread across 17 states and 2 Union Territories
- Nodal department: Department of Science and Technology (DST); India is among the first countries globally to have a dedicated national quantum mission (alongside the US, China, and a small set of others)
The claim that India is "among the top nations in quantum technology" is anchored in the institutional and funding infrastructure built under the NQM since its 2023 approval, including recent quantum fabrication facility launches at premier institutes.
Chandrayaan Missions and Lunar Water Detection
India's discovery of water molecules on the Moon is credited to Chandrayaan-1, India's first lunar mission, using an instrument carried on board rather than to a later mission — a frequently tested prelims fact distinguishing Chandrayaan-1, -2 and -3 achievements.
Key Details
- Chandrayaan-1 was launched on October 22, 2008; it carried NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3), an imaging spectrometer
- In September 2009, data from M3 confirmed the presence of water/hydroxyl molecules on the lunar surface, most strongly at higher latitudes — a landmark finding that predated similar confirmations by other lunar missions
- Chandrayaan-3 (launched July 2023) achieved a soft landing near the lunar south pole (August 23, 2023) via its Vikram lander, making India the fourth country to achieve a soft lunar landing and the first near the south pole; its payloads studied lunar surface composition and thermal properties but the original water-molecule detection is attributed to Chandrayaan-1/M3
- Chandrayaan-2 (2019) had an orbiter that continues to function and also carried instruments studying lunar water-ice signatures
The comparison drawn between US Apollo missions (which did not detect lunar water) and India's Chandrayaan programme reflects the 2009 Chandrayaan-1/M3 finding — a foundational Indian contribution to global lunar water science, distinct from the later Chandrayaan-3 landing milestone.
Private Sector Participation in Space and Nuclear Sectors
India has progressively opened strategic sectors historically reserved for the state — space and atomic energy — to private investment, aiming to accelerate capacity, innovation and capital inflow.
Key Details
- Space: The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) was established in 2020 as a single-window, independent nodal agency under the Department of Space to authorise and promote private/non-governmental space activities, including satellite building, launch services and ground infrastructure
- The 2023 Indian Space Policy formally delineated roles between ISRO (research and development, deep-space missions), IN-SPACe (regulation/promotion of private players), NewSpace India Limited (NSIL, the commercial arm), and private industry
- Nuclear: The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 has historically restricted nuclear power generation to government entities; recent policy discussions (including Budget announcements) have proposed amendments to allow private and foreign investment in nuclear power generation, alongside a Nuclear Energy Mission targeting expanded installed capacity
- Both moves are part of a broader "sunrise sector" liberalisation approach also seen in deep-tech, semiconductors and drones
The reference to opening space and nuclear sectors to private companies reflects this ongoing liberalisation — IN-SPACe/NSIL in space since 2020, and proposed Atomic Energy Act amendments for private participation in nuclear power — cited as evidence of accelerated sectoral growth alongside quantum technology gains.
- National Quantum Mission: approved April 19, 2023; outlay ₹6,003.65 crore; duration 2023-24 to 2030-31
- Four NQM Thematic Hubs: IISc Bengaluru (computing), IIT Madras/C-DOT (communication), IIT Bombay (sensing/metrology), IIT Delhi (materials/devices)
- Chandrayaan-1: launched October 22, 2008; lunar water molecules confirmed via NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3), September 2009
- Chandrayaan-3: landed near lunar south pole, August 23, 2023; India the fourth nation to achieve a soft lunar landing
- IN-SPACe established: 2020, under the Department of Space, to enable private space sector participation
- Indian Space Policy: 2023
- Atomic Energy Act: 1962 (governs nuclear sector; private-participation amendments under policy discussion)