The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India released first edition of the International Technology Engagement Strategy for Quantum (ITES-Q). This landmark document marks India’s first outward-facing roadmap to strengthen global cooperation in Quantum Science, Technology, and Innovation (QSTI).
Key Highlights of ITES‑Q
Launch:
- Unveiled on World Quantum Day 2025 (April 14, 2025), coinciding with the UN’s International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQST 2025).
Strategic Alignment:
- Complements India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM)—a ₹6,000 crore, 2023–2031 programme under the DST.
- Supports NQM’s hub‑and‑spoke model: 152 researchers, 43 institutions, across 17 states + 2 UTs.
Scope & Objectives:
- Landscape Analysis: Global/national investments, talent, publications, IP, startups, supply chains, industrial activity.
- Engagement Roadmap: Actionable guidance for government, academia, and industry—domestic and international.
- Partnership Facilitation: Aids Indian missions abroad in forging bilateral/multilateral collaborations in QSTI.
- Accelerate Discovery & Adoption: Catalyse quantum solutions in communications, sensing, computing, and secure networks.
Outcomes Sought:
- Fast‑track quantum innovation and technology diplomacy.
- Mobilize impactful partnerships to strengthen India’s global quantum footprint.
About ITES & ITES‑Q
International Technology Engagement Strategy (ITES):
- PSA’s initiative to elevate India’s technology diplomacy across critical, emerging domains.
ITES‑Q:
- First quantum‑focused edition, providing a structured framework for sustained international engagement in quantum R&D and commercialisation.
About National Quantum Mission (NQM)
Launched by: Department of Science & Technology,
Objective: Harness quantum physics for next‑gen communication, computing, and sensing.
Budget & Timeline: ₹6,000 crore approved in April 2023, operational through 2031.
Core Focus Areas:
- Quantum Computing: Develop next-gen computing systems (algorithms, hardware development)
- Quantum Communication: Build secure communication channels
- Quantum Sensing: Enhance precision in sensing technologies. high‑precision sensors for healthcare, navigation, and environment.
- Quantum Satellite: India plans to launch a quantum satellite within 2–3 years to pioneer global quantum communication
- Ecosystem Building: startups, academia, industry partnerships, and skilling.
What Is Quantum Technology?
Definition: Technologies leveraging quantum mechanics—the physics of atoms and subatomic particles.
Core Principles:
- Superposition: Qubits exist in multiple states simultaneously.
- Entanglement: Qubits share instantaneous correlations across distances.
Applications:
- Quantum Computing: Exponential speed‑ups for complex problems.
- Quantum Communication: Unhackable, quantum‑secure networks.
- Quantum Sensing: Ultra‑sensitive detectors for medical imaging and geophysics.