UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — National Quantum Mission achieves 1,000-km secure communication milestone in under 3 years of its launch: Dr. Jitendra Singh

Question 1

The National Quantum Mission, with a total outlay of ₹6,003.65 crore, is scheduled to run from 2023-24 to 2030-31. Over how many financial years does this mission period extend?

Accepted Answer

Eight years

Answer

Five years

Answer

Six years

Answer

Seven years

Question 2

With reference to the National Quantum Mission, consider the following statements:
1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2023.
2. It is implemented by the Department of Science & Technology.
3. Its total outlay is ₹6,003.65 crore.
4. It is a five-year mission.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3

Answer

1 and 4

Question 3

Under the National Quantum Mission, the Thematic Hub leading the Quantum Computing vertical is anchored at which one of the following institutions?

Accepted Answer

Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru

Answer

IIT Madras

Answer

IIT Bombay

Answer

IIT Delhi

Question 4

With reference to the mapping of National Quantum Mission Thematic Hubs to their host institutions, consider the following statements:
1. The Quantum Communication hub is hosted at IIT Madras.
2. The Quantum Sensing & Metrology hub is hosted at IIT Delhi.
3. The Quantum Materials & Devices hub is hosted at IIT Delhi.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 5

The 1,000-km quantum-secure communication network announced in 2026 was demonstrated under a national mission implemented by which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Department of Science & Technology

Answer

Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology

Answer

Defence Research and Development Organisation

Answer

Indian Space Research Organisation

Question 6

The 1,000-km quantum communication network demonstrated under the National Quantum Mission represents half-way progress towards the mission's eight-year inter-city QKD target of what distance?

Accepted Answer

2,000 km

Answer

1,500 km

Answer

2,500 km

Answer

3,000 km

Question 7

The 2026 milestone of a 1,000-km secure link achieved under the National Quantum Mission primarily advanced which one of the mission's four technology verticals?

Accepted Answer

Quantum Communication

Answer

Quantum Computing

Answer

Quantum Sensing & Metrology

Answer

Quantum Materials & Devices

Question 8

The National Quantum Mission's Quantum Communication vertical is operationalised through a Thematic Hub involving IIT Madras together with which telecom research organisation?

Accepted Answer

Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)

Answer

Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)

Answer

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)

Answer

Education and Research Network (ERNET)

Question 9

The National Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applications (NM-QTA), announced in the 2020-21 Union Budget with an indicative ₹8,000 crore outlay, was to be implemented by which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Department of Science & Technology

Answer

Department of Science & Technology through the Ministry of Electronics & IT

Answer

Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser

Answer

Defence Research and Development Organisation

Question 10

According to the 2026 announcement, India's 1,000-km quantum-secure communication link achieved under the NQM is notable because it ranks among which one of the following globally?

Accepted Answer

Among the longest quantum communication links in the world

Answer

The first satellite-based quantum link in the world

Answer

The first fibre-based QKD network in Asia

Answer

The world's first quantum-encrypted banking network

Question 11

In the 2026 NQM-linked review of the Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) funding framework, the Technology Development Board (TDB) and BIRAC were highlighted in what capacity?

Accepted Answer

As second-level fund managers under the RDI framework

Answer

As the two Thematic Hubs for quantum communication

Answer

As the nodal ministries approving the NQM outlay

Answer

As international partners of the National Quantum Mission

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — National Quantum Mission achieves 1,000-km secure communication milestone in under 3 years of its launch: Dr. Jitendra Singh

Q1. The National Quantum Mission, with a total outlay of ₹6,003.65 crore, is scheduled to run from 2023-24 to 2030-31. Over how many financial years does this mission period extend?

Q3. Under the National Quantum Mission, the Thematic Hub leading the Quantum Computing vertical is anchored at which one of the following institutions?

Q5. The 1,000-km quantum-secure communication network announced in 2026 was demonstrated under a national mission implemented by which one of the following?

Q6. The 1,000-km quantum communication network demonstrated under the National Quantum Mission represents half-way progress towards the mission's eight-year inter-city QKD target of what distance?

Q7. The 2026 milestone of a 1,000-km secure link achieved under the National Quantum Mission primarily advanced which one of the mission's four technology verticals?

Q8. The National Quantum Mission's Quantum Communication vertical is operationalised through a Thematic Hub involving IIT Madras together with which telecom research organisation?

Q9. The National Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applications (NM-QTA), announced in the 2020-21 Union Budget with an indicative ₹8,000 crore outlay, was to be implemented by which one of the following?

Q10. According to the 2026 announcement, India's 1,000-km quantum-secure communication link achieved under the NQM is notable because it ranks among which one of the following globally?

Q11. In the 2026 NQM-linked review of the Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) funding framework, the Technology Development Board (TDB) and BIRAC were highlighted in what capacity?