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GS3 · Quantum tech

National Quantum Mission achieves 1,000-km secure communication

1 min readIT & Emerging Tech
Battle IAS current affairs title card: National Quantum Mission achieves 1,000-km secure communication (GS3 · Quantum tech, 8 April 2026)
Asked by UPSCPrelims 20261 PYQ

UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.

What happened

  • The National Quantum Mission achieved a 1,000-km secure quantum communication milestone within three years of launch [PIB].

Background

  • NQM (2023, ₹6,003 crore) has four thematic hubs: computing, communication, sensing, materials.

Why it matters

  • Quantum communication is very hard to intercept, which makes it valuable for secure networks.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Science and technology: IT, computers, robotics, indigenisation

  1. As per PIB (2026-04-08): the National Quantum Mission achieved a 1,000-km secure quantum communication milestone within three years of launch.
  2. Quantum communication is very hard to intercept, which makes it valuable for secure networks.
Quotable data point

The National Quantum Mission achieved a 1,000-km secure quantum communication milestone within three years of launch.

PIB: S&T: NQM milestone, 8 Apr 2026

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: NQM.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Milestone distance

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

NQM outlay

Answer (a) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

NQM launched

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Go deeper

ExplainerSemiconductors and India: What Chips Are, the Global Value Chain, India Semiconductor Mission, New Fabs and Packaging Units, Challenges and the Way Ahead (UPSC Notes + PYQs)ExplainerQuantum Computing: Qubits, Superposition and Entanglement, Applications, Quantum Communication and India’s National Quantum Mission (UPSC Notes + PYQs)

Official source: PIB: S&T: NQM milestone, 8 Apr 2026

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending