India has completed its target of establishing 1,000 km of secure quantum communication under the National Quantum Mission, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh announced on Friday.
Speaking at the inauguration of the “Lakshya 2047” Centre for Future Skills at Parul University in Vadodara, Gujarat, Singh said the milestone was achieved within 3 years, well ahead of the 8-year timeline set under the National Quantum Mission.
The minister said the mission is progressing through 4 thematic hubs along with collaborations involving institutions across the country. He added that India is rapidly strengthening its capabilities in quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and deep tech sectors.
The newly launched “Lakshya 2047” Centre for Future Skills has been developed in partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation, Ethnotech and Cambridge University Press and Assessment. The centre will provide training across 9 technology domains and offer globally recognised certifications.
Highlighting the country’s broader AI and innovation push, Singh said the India AI Mission launched in 2024 is building infrastructure around compute capacity, datasets, innovation and future-ready skills. He also noted that India now ranks 3rd globally in the startup ecosystem and has crossed 100,000 patents, with most filings coming from Indian residents.
“The pace of technological evolution has made continuous skilling and re-skilling essential,” Singh said, while referring to emerging sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies and semiconductor design.
He added that the government is promoting collaboration between academia, startups and private institutions through initiatives including the National Education Policy 2020, National Quantum Mission, India AI Mission and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
Speaking on responsible AI adoption, Singh said India’s approach focuses on inclusion and public benefit. Referring to the Global South AI Summit hosted earlier this year, he said the Delhi Declaration on responsible AI highlighted the need for technology to support vulnerable and underserved communities.
“One has to be intelligent enough to use Artificial Intelligence,” Singh said.
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