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Recently, researchers have examined multi-drug-resistant pathogens on the International Space Station (ISS), with potential implications for astronaut health as well as on Earth.

IIT Madras & NASA Researchers study Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens on the International Space Station

• Participating Organizations: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are participating in the project. 
  • The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) represents a distinctive partnership between NASA and Caltech.
• Objective of the Research: To investigate the behavior, adaptation, and evolution of multi-drug resistant pathogens approximately 400 kilometers above the Earth’s surface aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

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Key features of the Research

• Studying Drug-Resistant Pathogens: Examining genomic adaptations of drug-resistant pathogens can enhance precision in treatment approaches.
  • Understanding pathogen persistence in environments such as spacecraft and hospitals can aid in contamination control.
• Microbial Dynamics: Combining genomics, metagenomics, and metabolic modeling enables the study of microbial dynamics across diverse extreme environments.
• Comprehensive study: Investigating genomic, functional, and metabolic enhancements seen in multidrug-resistant pathogens, with a specific emphasis on Enterobacter bugandensis, a common nosocomial pathogen discovered on surfaces within the ISS, to gain understanding.

Enterobacter Bugandensis

• About: Enterobacter bugandensis is a newly discovered species in the Enterobacter genus, identified in 2013 from bloodstream infection cases in Uganda.

Key Features of Enterobacter Bugandensis

• Morphology: Enterobacter Bugandensis exhibits a Gram-negative, rod-shaped structure.
• Habitation: Similar to other species within the Enterobacter genus, E. bugandensis is typically found in various environments, including soil, water, and the gastrointestinal tracts of animals and humans.
• Pathogenicity: Enterobacter Bugandensis is capable of causing various infections, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. 
  • These infections may include bloodstream infections, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and wound infections.
• Resistance: Enterobacter Bugandensis has demonstrated resistance to numerous antibiotics, posing challenges in treatment. 
  • Mechanisms of resistance may involve the production of beta-lactamase, efflux pumps, and mutations that diminish drug uptake.

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Multidrug-resistant pathogen

• About: It describes a microorganism that has acquired resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents, usually spanning three or more antimicrobial categories.
• Manifestation: This resistance can manifest in different types of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. 
• Threats: The most significant threat to public health among MDR forms is represented by bacteria that withstand multiple antibiotics

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Recently, the UN report titled “Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions for Forests” revealed significant deficiencies in countries’ pledges to protect, manage, and restore forests within their NDCs under the Paris Agreement.

Key findings from the UN Report

• Rise in Emissions: Emissions from deforestation have risen since the 2021 Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, which aimed to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030, promoting sustainable development and rural transformation inclusivity.
• Deforestation Trends: Latin America and the Caribbean saw a notable increase in emissions between 2019 and 2022, with Brazil being a notable exception due to its recent annual reduction of deforestation by 22%.
• Failure to meet Global targets: The report states that Nationally Determined Contributions pledges from 2017 to 2023 didn’t meet the global goals to cut and reverse deforestation by 2030.
  • Only 8 out of the top 20 countries with high tropical deforestation have set goals to reduce tree cover loss in their NDCs.”
• Inconsistent Deforestation targets: The report points out a lack of consistency in deforestation targets among NDCs, with countries employing different metrics (area-based, emissions-based) and offering varying levels of detail on implementation plans. 
• Deforestation Plans in Brazil and Indonesia: Brazil’s revised NDC doesn’t include targets related to forests, and Indonesia lacks specific commitments, despite both countries having individual action plans to reduce deforestation.
  • Brazil’s multi-agency Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon (PPCDAm) does pledge to end deforestation by 2030.
  • The analysis discovered that Indonesia’s Forest and Other Land Use (FOLU) Net Sink 2030 Operational Plan is targeting net zero emissions in the forest and land use sectors by 2030.
• Insufficient Commitments: The commitments in the NDCs of the top 20 highest-emitting countries regarding tree cover loss are inadequate to reach the goal.

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Key Recommendations

• Benefits of Forests: The UN report highlighted the critical role of forests, as they provide essential ecosystem services such as preserving water quality, offering habitat for pollinators, and supplying resources for communities.
  • The report also noted that forests serve as crucial carbon sinks, aiding in the mitigation of climate change.
• Causes of Deforestation: Primary causes of deforestation are agricultural expansion driven by global demand for commodities such as Palm Oil, Soybeans, and Beef
• Harmonizing Forest related initiatives: The report suggests improving, bolstering, and harmonizing forest-related initiatives outlined in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) while clearly outlining national policies.
• Collaboration: Developed and forested nations should collaborate to meet globally established objectives, highlighting the significance of collective efforts.
• Carbon Pricing Incentive: Increase forest carbon prices by $30-50 per tonne of CO2 emissions in the carbon market to encourage forest preservation.
• Involvement of Local Communities: Ensure the engagement of local communities and indigenous peoples, acknowledging their forest land and carbon rights as vital for forest protection.
• Enhanced Law Enforcement: Improved enforcement of existing laws through intensified raids on illegal activities occurring on Indigenous lands has contributed to the successful reduction in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon in 2023.

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The New Council of Ministers, comprising 30 cabinet ministers, five Ministers of State (Independent Charge) and 36 Ministers of State, took their oath recently.

About the Central Council of Ministers

• The Real Executive Authority: The Central Council of Ministers is effectively the real executive authority led by the Prime Minister in accordance with the parliamentary system of government in India.
• Constitutional Provision: 
  • Article 74: “There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice”
  • Article 75 (Collective Responsibility): The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People i.e. The Lok Sabha.
  • Article 75 (Appointment): The President appoints the Prime Minister and based on the PM’s recommendation, the President also appoints other ministers. 
    • Strength: The maximum size of the Council of Ministers is fixed and should not exceed 15% of the strength of the Lok Sabha, or the House of the people.
  • Article 88 (Participation): It empowers the ministers to speak or otherwise participate in proceedings in both the houses, as well as any joint session of both houses or any Parliamentary committee they may be a part of. However, it does not guarantee them the right to vote.

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Composition of the Council of Ministers

• Role of the Prime Minister: 
  • First Among Equals: The Prime Minister heads the Central Council of Ministers in an executive capacity and is responsible for decision-making on all important policy issues and his position is often described as “first among equals”.
    • De facto chairman: The PM serves as the  head of the Cabinet Secretariat (supervising  the day-to-day administration of the government and the conduct of business between ministries), The NITI Aayog and the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
    • Portfolio: The Prime Minister chairs the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and supervises the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Space.
• The Cabinet Ministers: 
  • The Cabinet Ministers are ranked as the senior-most in the council, second only to the Prime Minister. 
  • They oversee the strategic and important ministries of the Central government ie. Ministry of Home Affairs, Finance, Defence, etc. with an  authority to organise and attend meetings and make important policy decisions.
  • The new council has 30 cabinet ministers, less than 37 in the previous term. 
• Ministers of State (Independent Charge):
  • They are the  junior members of the COM. 
  • A Minister of State (Independent Charge) is empowered to administer their respective ministry without oversight from cabinet ministers or other members of the Union government.
  • The new Council has five Ministers of State (Independent Charge), up from 3 in the previous term.
• Ministers of State:
  • A Minister of State assists a cabinet minister, and is responsible for specific functions as delegated to them by their superior and does not enjoy the foremost administerial duties over a ministry.
  • Important ministries like The Home Ministry, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Health Ministry and the Education Ministry etc may have two or three ministers of state working with the cabinet minister.
  • The new council has 36 Minister of State as opposed to 42 in the outgoing council

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SpaceX’s Starship rocket recently had its first fully successful test flight, with both the booster and spacecraft gently landing in the ocean after an hour-long flight.

SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket records first successful test flight

• This was SpaceX’s fourth attempt to launch the massive Starship.
• The Super Heavy booster detached and landed softly in the Gulf of Mexico.
• The spacecraft travelled halfway around the Earth and made a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

What is Starship?

• Starship is a two-stage heavy lift vehicle.
• It is designed for carrying crew or cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
• The entire rocket system is nearly 120 meters tall, making it the largest rocket ever flown.

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• • It is taller than the Saturn V (111 meters) that took Neil Armstrong to the Moon.
• Starship has two stages:
  • The Super Heavy booster: It features 33 Raptor engines arranged in three concentric rings.
  • The Starship spacecraft: It uses six Raptor engines, with three specifically optimised for vacuum conditions.
• Objective:  To significantly lower launch costs through economies of scale.

Key Features

• Fully Reusable Design: Starship is designed for rapid reuse, aiming to significantly lower launch costs.
• Massive Size: It is one of the largest rockets ever built, capable of carrying crew and cargo.
• Powerful Engines: SpaceX’s Raptor engines use liquid methane and liquid oxygen as propellants in a ratio of 3.6:1. 
• Advanced Heat Shield: Equipped with a high-tech heat shield to endure the extreme temperatures during reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.

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How Starship Revolutionizes Space Travel Cost?

• Enormous Payload Capability : Starship can transport a vast amount of cargo, up to 150 tons to Earth orbit and 100 tons to the Moon or Mars. 
  • This surpasses previous missions, reducing the need for multiple launches.
• In-Space Refueling: Starship can be refueled in space by other Starship vehicles, akin to topping up fuel for a long flight. 
  • This enables carrying more cargo to distant destinations like Mars without needing all the fuel upfront.
• Complete Reusability: Unlike conventional rockets discarded after launch, Starship is entirely reusable. 
  • The booster and spacecraft return to Earth and launch again, significantly lowering manufacturing costs per flight.

Benefits of the Mission

• Enhanced Scientific Missions
  • Cheaper launches empower scientists to construct larger and more sophisticated equipment, such as powerful telescopes or deep-drilling rigs for Mars exploration, expanding avenues for scientific discovery.
• Revelation of Secrets
  • Retrieving larger samples from the Moon and other celestial bodies allows scientists to unveil mysteries about our solar system and the origins of life.
• Increased Accessibility to Space
  • Lower launch costs make space travel more affordable for scientific and commercial ventures, fostering greater accessibility to space.

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Challenges Facing Starship

• Safety and Cost Concerns: Historically, balancing reusability with affordability has been a major challenge in spaceflight programs.
• Worker Safety Concerns: A recent investigation raised concerns about worker safety during Starship’s rapid development.  
• • Therefore, Balancing breakneck speed with worker well-being is crucial.

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Renewed demand for including Heatwaves as a Notified Disaster under the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005 is being made considering the ongoing extreme spell of heat waves across the country.

Heat Waves in India

• Heat Waves of 2024: The Indian Meteorological Department has reported 10-22 above-normal heat wave days in different parts of the country, i.e., large parts of northern, eastern, and central India between April and June 2024, with more heat spells expected.
• Statistics: An average of two deaths daily due to heat waves in April, May and June 2023.  A total of 252 deaths due to heat-related issues were reported by June 2023
• Importance: The States will be able to use their disaster response funds or SDRF  to provide compensation and relief and other mitigation and adaptation activities for heat waves.
  • Currently, states need to use their own funds for these activities.

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About Notified Disasters

• The Disaster Management Act 2005 defines a disaster as a,
  • A catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence arising from “natural or man-made causes” that result in substantial loss of life, destruction of property, or damage to the environment and should be “beyond the coping capacity” of the community.
• Categories: Cyclones, Drought, Earthquake, Fire, Flood, Tsunami, Hailstorm, Landslide, Avalanche, Cloudburst, Pest Attack, And Frost And Cold Waves are the 12 disasters notified under the DM Act presently.
• Effect:  The provision of the DM Act can be invoked to allow states to draw money from The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) at the national level and the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) at the state level. 
  • States must first utilise the funds available in the SDRF, and only if the magnitude of the disaster is beyond their resources can states seek money from the NDRF. 
    • In the FY 2023-24, only two states drew money from the NDRF, i.e. Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh.
• Funding of the Disaster Funds: The NDRF is entirely supported by the Central Government. In the SDRF, States contribute 25% of the money (10% in case of special category states), and the rest is contributed by the Centre.
  • The money in these funds can only be used for responding to and managing notified disasters.
• Reason for Inclusion:
  • Widespread nature: The severity and frequency of heat waves are increasing every passing year, increasing people’s vulnerability and exposing them to the risk of heat stroke.
    • Currently, 23 states are vulnerable to heatwaves.
  • Better Data: It can improve heatwave management by reporting heat-related illnesses and deaths better.
  • Tap into SDRF Funds: State governments are unable to use more than 10% of the funds for Heat Wave Management, leading to inadequate response.
  • Heat Action Plans: Several vulnerable cities have now prepared heat action plans (HAPs) involving activities like creating shaded spaces, making cool water available in public places, distributing simple oral solutions, and reorganising school, college, and office working hours, which require adequate financial resources.
• Challenges for the inclusion of  heatwaves as notified disasters:
  • Heatwaves are a common occurrence during summer and not really an unusual weather event.
  • Finance Commission Reluctance: The 15th Finance Commission endorsed an enabling provision allowing states to use up to 10% of the SDRF money for “local disasters” such as lightning or heatwaves, which states could notify themselves.
    • At least four states, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Kerala, have used this enabling provision, and heat waves have been added as local disasters.
  • Financial implication: Monetary compensation of Rs 4 lakh needs to be provided for every death caused by a disaster on the notified list. Grievous injuries also need to be compensated.
    • The year 2024 has already reported more than 500 heat-related deaths. 
  • Identification of Heat related Deaths: In many cases, heat plays a complementary role  whereby the pre-existing conditions get aggravated due to the extreme heat and cause deaths making it different from other disasters where  the identification of the victims is easier and more straight-forward.

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Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a new three-step process to remove heavy metal contaminants, such as arsenic, from groundwater.

• IISc researchers collaborate with NGOs, including the INREM Foundation and Earthwatch, to test and deploy these systems in rural areas like Bhagalpur in Bihar and Chickballapur in Karnataka.

About IISc new method

• The IISc new method is designed to remove heavy contaminants from groundwater. 
• It not only removes arsenic but also guarantees safe and sustainable disposal of the contaminants.

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• • Further, It prevents them from re-entering the groundwater system. 
• This comprehensive approach addresses a major gap in existing arsenic removal technologies.
  • Three processes are:
    • Adsorption: Separating arsenic from water using a biodegradable absorbent.
    • Bioremediation: Reducing pollutant concentration.
    • Environmentally Friendly Disposal: Ensuring safe disposal of removed heavy metals.

Contamination Status in India

• Arsenic levels: Reports indicate 113 districts in 21 Indian states have arsenic levels above 0.01 mg per liter.
• Fluoride levels: Additionally, 223 districts in 23 states have fluoride levels exceeding 1.5 mg per liter.
  • These levels are above the permissible limits set by the Bureau of Indian Standards and the World Health Organization (WHO), posing health risks.

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has recently released “the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) 2024”.

• The 2024 edition spotlights the concrete advances of Blue Transformation in action, showcasing the role of FAO, in driving change towards sustainable aquaculture expansion and intensification.

Crucial Insights on the  State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024

• The Statistics:
  • On Production: 
    • Global fisheries and Aquaculture: 223.2 million tonnes
    • Global Aquaculture: 130.9 million tonnes
    • Aquatic Animals: 185.4 million tonnes 
      • Region Wise: Asia (70%), Europe (9%), Latin America and the Caribbean (9%), Africa (7%), Northern America (3%) and Oceania (1%).
      • Country Wise: China (36%), India (8%), Indonesia (7%), Viet Nam (5%) and Peru (3%)
    • Algae: 37.8 million tonnes
    • Global Capture Fisheries: 92.3 million tonnes
  • On Sustainability:
    • Proportion of sustainably fished marine stocks monitored by FAO (2021): 62.3% 
    • Proportion of sustainably fished marine stocks level monitored by FAO weighted by production (2021): 78.9% 

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• • On Consumption:
    • Global apparent consumption of aquatic animal foods (2021): 162.5 million tonnes
    • Global apparent consumption of aquatic foods per capita (2021): 20.6 kg
    • Increase in global apparent consumption of aquatic foods per capita: from 9.1 kg in 1961 to 20.6 in 2021
  • On Employment:
    • People employed in primary production: 61.8 million 
    • Workers by Sector: Fisheries (54%), Aquaculture (36%), Sector not specified (10%)
    • Percentage of jobs by region: Asia (85%), Africa (10%), Latin America and the Caribbean (4%), Europe, Oceania and Northern America combined (1%).
  • On Trade:
    • Top exporters of aquatic animal products: China, Norway, Viet Nam, Ecuador, Chile
    • Top importers of aquatic animal products: The United States of America, China, Japan, Spain, France
    • Value of international trade of aquatic products: USD 195 billion
• Rise in Production: World fisheries and aquaculture production has hit a new high in 2022 with a surge of 223.2 million tonnes, a 4.4% increase from the year 2020.
  • For the first time in history, in 2022, aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries as the main producer of aquatic animals. 
  • Despite the growth in aquaculture, capture fisheries remain an essential source of aquatic animal production. 
    • With 1.9 million tonnes, India ranked first in inland fisheries production.
    • Inland Resources: These include rivers and canals, floodplain lakes, ponds and tanks, reservoirs, brackish water, saline/alkaline-affected areas, etc.
• Countries Dominating Aquaculture: China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Norway, Egypt, and Chile – produced over 89.8% of the total. 
  • But many low-income countries in Africa and Asia are not using their full potential. 
• Rise in Global Consumption of Aquatic Foods: Global consumption of aquatic animal foods reached 162.5 million tonnes in 2021 due to its potential in tackling food insecurity and malnutrition. 
• Impact of Population Rise: Due to the rising global population, to maintain through to 2050 apparent consumption of aquatic animal foods at the 2022 estimated level of 20.7 kg per capita would require an increase in the total aquatic animal food supply of 36 million tonnes, a rise of 22%. 
  • This highlights the need to accelerate Blue Transformation priority actions in a world where aquatic foods play a more significant role in ending hunger, malnutrition and poverty.
• Actions Required: 
  • Further Transformative and Adaptive Actions: These are needed to strengthen the efficiency, inclusiveness, resilience and sustainability of aquatic food systems.
    • These are also needed to consolidate their role in addressing food insecurity, poverty alleviation and sustainable governance.
  • Boost Sustainable Aquaculture: Targeted policies, technology transfer, capacity building and responsible investment are crucial to boost sustainable aquaculture, especially in Africa.
  • Supporting further Consumption: Consumption from sustainable sources is crucial to foster healthy diets and improve nutrition worldwide. 
    • Aquatic foods provide high-quality proteins and key nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. 

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Recently, the United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) to boost research and development in the emerging area. 

UN has declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ)

• Recognition of 100 years of Quantum Mechanics: The year 2025 was chosen for this International Year as it recognizes 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics. 
• Matrix Mechanics: It marks 100 years since theoretical physicists Werner Heisenberg, Max Born and Pascual Jordan developed matrix mechanics, the first formulation to express quantum physics in mathematical form.
• Schrödinger wave Equation: Year 2025 also marks 100 years since Erwin Schrödinger postulated the Schrödinger equation that governs the wave function of a quantum-mechanical system – a landmark moment in quantum mechanics that proved to be seminal to the field and won him a Nobel Prize in Physics.
• Global Initiatives and Outreach: A steering committee is also “planning global initiatives and events, particularly those that reach audiences unaware of the importance of quantum science and technology.”

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About International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ)

• Background:
  • 2023: Led by the nation of Mexico, in May 2023 the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) endorsed a resolution encouraging official UN proclamation.
    • It was followed by an endorsement of the full UNESCO General Conference in November 2023, which was co-sponsored by nearly 60 countries.
  • 2024: In May 2024, the nation of Ghana formally submitted a draft resolution for official proclamation of the International Year to the U.N. General Assembly. 
    • On June 7, 2024 the U.N. General Assembly officially declared 2025 to be The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
  • The proclamation has also received the endorsements of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, the International Union of Crystallography, and the International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology.
• Aim: 
  • Strengthening of Capabilities: To strengthen national capacities in the basic sciences and science education. 
    • To reflect the growing recognition of quantum science and technology as a key driver of future innovations and economic growth.
  • Contribution and Future Potential: To highlight the contribution of quantum science to our increased knowledge and understanding of the physical universe, as well as the critical role of quantum science and technology in developing sustainable solutions in energy, education, communications, and human health.
  • Awareness, Encouragement and Collaboration: It focuses on raising awareness about the importance of quantum technologies, fostering international collaborations, and encouraging educational and outreach activities.

About Quantum Science and Technology

• An Interdisciplinary Field: Quantum Science and Technology is an interdisciplinary field that harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to develop new technologies with potentially transformative capabilities. 
• Fundamentals of Quantum Computing: There are three fundamentals of quantum computing- Superposition, Entanglement and Qubits.
  • Superposition: The ability of a particle to hold two “states” at the same time. It is a fundamental principle where a quantum system can exist in multiple states simultaneously.
  • Entanglement: The strange property of quantum systems. If one particle is entangled with another and measures the spin of the first one (which resolves into either value), the entangled particle will instantly resolve into the same value.
    • Quantum computing uses both of these principles — superposition and entanglement to solve certain types of problems much faster than classical computers, particularly for complex simulations, optimization, cryptography, and searching large databases.
  • Qubit or Quantum Bit: A basic unit of quantum information. It is a two-state quantum-mechanical system, one of the simplest quantum systems displaying the peculiarity of quantum mechanics.

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Application Areas of Quantum Science and Technology

• Quantum Computing: It is a multidisciplinary field comprising aspects of computer science, physics, and mathematics that utilizes quantum mechanics to solve complex problems faster than on classical computers. 
  • Quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits) which, unlike classical bits, can exist in multiple states simultaneously due to superposition.
• Quantum Communication: It uses the laws of quantum physics to protect data. 
  • These laws allow particles—typically photons of light for transmitting data along optical cables—to take on a state of superposition, which means they can represent multiple combinations of quantum bits (qubits). 
  • Quantum Key Distribution (QKD): It utilizes quantum mechanics to enable secure communication channels that are theoretically immune to eavesdropping.
  • Quantum Internet: It is a future vision of a global network that uses quantum signals for ultra-secure communication and distributed quantum computing.
• Quantum Sensing and Metrology: It aims at harnessing new approaches that use the principles of quantum physics in order to overcome the noise produced by quantum fluctuations. 
  • The applications range from the improvement and synchronization of atomic clocks, the detection of the magnitude and direction of tiny magnetic fields, and interferometric measurements of phase shifts, medical imaging, navigation, and fundamental physics research.
• Quantum Materials: Exploration of materials with unique quantum properties, such as superconductors and topological insulators have applications in the development of new electronic devices, improved energy transmission, and advanced material science.
• Quantum Simulation: Quantum simulators can model complex quantum systems, helping in the understanding of high-temperature superconductivity, chemical reactions, and exotic phases of matter.

Advantages of Quantum Technology

• Increased Computing Power: Quantum computers are much faster than present computers and also have the capability to solve complex problems.
• Improved Security: Due to quantum mechanics, quantum encryption techniques are much more secure than traditional encryption methods.
• Faster Communication: Quantum communication networks can transmit information faster and more securely than traditional networks, with the potential for completely unhackable communication.
• Enhanced Artificial Intelligence (AI): Quantum machine learning algorithms can potentially enable more efficient and accurate training of AI models.
• Better Sensing and Measurement: Quantum sensors can detect extremely small changes in the environment, making them useful in areas such as medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and geological exploration.
  • The advancements in quantum science and technology have the potential to revolutionize various fields, driving innovation in computing, communication, sensing, and beyond. 

Obstacles to Mainstream Adoption for Quantum Technology

• Stability: Qubits are very sensitive to heat and are error-prone.
• Scalability: Building larger quantum computers can be difficult.
• Connectivity: Qubits need to be connected to operate, which is difficult as the number increases. 
• Integration: Combining quantum components with classical systems to create hybrid technologies.
• Decoherence: Over time, qubits can lose information stored in them.
• Programming: Completely new skills are needed as well as knowledge of quantum mechanics.
• Standardization: Establishing industry-wide standards will be essential for success.
• Access and Availability: Quantum computing services are expensive at this time.
• Algorithm Creation: Quantum computers can’t work like traditional computers, they need special algorithms to do tasks in their environment.
• Need for Low Temperature: Quantum computers require extreme temperatures (-460°F.) that are hard to maintain.
• Low Precision: Quantum computers have a low level of precision. Scientists have to create their own qubits, which is difficult. 
• Software: The field of creating quantum algorithms and software is still developing, and qualified professionals are in short supply. 
• High Cost: Building and maintaining quantum computers is currently relatively expensive, and this may prevent widespread deployment
• Interoperability: Due to the lack of standards in the realm of quantum computing, it might be challenging to compare and combine various quantum computers.

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Way Forward

• Establishing Centers of Excellence: The government should create specialized centers of excellence dedicated to quantum science and technology within both academic institutions and government research institutes.
• Technology Development: India must harness the power of startups and Big Tech corporations involved in developing quantum technology and applications.
• Indigenization: Prioritizing the development of quantum computational capabilities is imperative for our nation, as obtaining this technology from foreign sources would pose significant challenges and cost hurdles. 
• Effective Roadmap: To effectively monitor global advancements in quantum computing and evaluate and guide India’s efforts in this domain, the establishment of an Indian Quantum Computing Roadmap Group is essential. 
• Research & Development with Collaboration: Continuous research and development, along with international collaboration, are crucial for overcoming current challenges and unlocking the full potential of quantum technologies.

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