Set Up Task Force To Safeguard India In Quantum Era: NITI Aayog

SUMMARY

NITI Aayog called for leveraging global partnerships and domestic innovation to ensure safety of local networks as quantum computing technologies enter the mainstream

The think tank also called for assessing vulnerabilities in critical national systems and developing a post-quantum cryptography transition plan

To foster the homegrown ecosystem, the Union Cabinet, in 2023, approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) with a budget outlay of INR 6,003 Cr

Think tank NITI Aayog has called for a proactive and multi-pronged approach to ensure India’s national security remains “resilient” in the quantum computing “era”.

In the March 2024 edition of “NITI Frontier Tech Hub’s Future Front: Quarterly Frontier Tech Insights”, the think tank, in partnership with Data Data Security Council of India, called for establishing a task force to enhance India’s quantum security strategy.

It also called for leveraging global partnerships and domestic innovation to ensure safety of local networks as quantum computing technologies enter the mainstream.

For context, quantum computing is an emerging technology which leverages quantum mechanics to solve complex problems faster than on classical computers.

Critics believe that a sufficiently powerful and fault-tolerant quantum computer could break widely used public-key encryption algorithms and render modern internet security and secure communications obsolete.

Not just this, quantum technologies could pave the way for the next generation of military hardware, with industry experts also flagging that quantum computers could destabilise financial markets.

“Advancements in quantum technology would expose the country to increased risk of technological surprise and strategic blind spots. Being caught off guard by quantum driven advancements would jeopardise national security, economic competitiveness, and technological leadership,” read the NITI Aayog paper.

Amid a slew of breakthroughs in the quantum computing realm, NITI Aayog urged the Centre to prepare for two scenarios – incremental advances (gradual improvements in qubits, control systems, and algorithms) as well as disruptive breakthroughs (new platforms or novel error correction techniques).

To address the pitfalls of the technology, the paper issued following key recommendations to offset various risks:

Establish a task force to track global quantum advancements
Assess vulnerabilities in critical national systems
Directives and guidelines on crypto agility to ensure organisations in critical sectors are ready to quickly adapt to the possible breakthroughs in the space
Develop a post-quantum cryptography (PQC) transition plan, involving risk prioritisation-based transition and roadmap, testing and certification, and exchanging information about the deployments
Leverage scientific intelligence for potential breakthroughs in early warning systems
Establish bilateral partnerships for rapid adoption
Adopt a flexing R&D funding approach based on emerging breakthroughs

Meanwhile, in the paper’s foreword, NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam underscored the need for India to not just participate in the quantum computing “revolution” but also lead the space by driving innovation and setting global standards.

He also noted that quantum technologies will play a “defining role” in securing critical infrastructure, strengthening defense capabilities, and safeguarding India’s digital sovereignty.

The NITI Aayog CEO also underlined the need for a long term vision, strong policy frameworks and an ecosystem which fosters cutting-edge research, talent development, and large-scale deployment of quantum computing solutions.

“By forging deep collaboration between government, industry, and academia, and by investing in indigenous capabilities, we can unlock the true potential of quantum computing and build a future that is secure, resilient, and inclusive for all,” added Subrahmanyam.

Notably, this comes at a time when the Indian government has pushed the pedal on strengthening the country’s quantum capabilities. As part of this, the Union cabinet, in 2023, approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) for a period of eight years with a budget outlay of INR 6,003 Cr.

The Mission aims to build a comprehensive indigenous quantum technology ecosystem by providing funding and support to promising quantum startups and leveraging established\ research institutions to drive progress in areas such as quantum communication, sensing, quantum materials, among others.

Last year, the government also said that the NQM would provide grants to 10-15 startups working in the field of quantum technology.