Source: News on Air
Context:
In June 2026, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), virtually inaugurated a 20 kilowatt (kW) Akashvani FM Transmitter at Ramgarh in Jaisalmer, during a programme held at Akashvani Jaipur in Rajasthan. With this addition, Rajasthan now has 39 FM transmitters. The new transmitter will provide radio coverage in an 80 km radius, covering nearly 20,000 sq km of Jaisalmer district, strengthening information dissemination and national integration in this border region. During his visit to Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur, the Minister also announced an Advanced Quantum Lab, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab, and a Makers Lab.
The FM Transmitter
- Capacity: 20 kW.
- Location: Ramgarh, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
- Inaugurated by: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, virtually.
- Programme venue: Akashvani Jaipur premises, Jaipur, Rajasthan.
- Total FM transmitters in Rajasthan (after this): 39.
About Akashvani (All India Radio)
- India’s national public service broadcaster for radio.
- Founded: 1936 (officially named All India Radio in 1956, and renamed Akashvani in 1957).
- Headquartered: New Delhi.
- Part of: Prasar Bharati.
- Functions:
- News and current affairs broadcasting.
- Educational and cultural content.
- Public service announcements.
- Regional and tribal content.
- Akashvani’s reach: One of the largest broadcasting organisations in the world by coverage.
About Prasar Bharati
- India’s public service broadcaster.
- Statutory body established under the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990.
- Operational since 23 November 1997.
- Comprises:
- All India Radio (Akashvani).
- Doordarshan.
- Headquartered in New Delhi.
- CEO: Currently Gaurav Dwivedi.
Why are Border-Area FM Transmitters Important?
- Strategic regions like Jaisalmer are close to international borders.
- Radio reach ensures:
- Indian narratives reach border communities.
- Counter to cross-border propaganda.
- National integration through government information.
- Educational content for remote villages.
- Disaster warning and emergency communication.
- Border districts include Jaisalmer (Rajasthan), Kachchh (Gujarat), Jammu (J&K), Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu) and others.
What is Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)?
- A method of secure communication based on quantum mechanics principles.
- Uses quantum properties of particles (like photons) to generate and share cryptographic keys that are theoretically impossible to intercept without detection.
- Critical for cybersecurity, defence communications, and financial transactions in the post-quantum era.
What is Quantum Computing?
- A next-generation computing paradigm that uses quantum bits (qubits) instead of classical bits.
- Qubits can exist in superposition (both 0 and 1 simultaneously) and entanglement (correlated states).
- Promises exponential speedup for certain problems like:
- Factoring large numbers (breaking current encryption).
- Drug discovery and materials science simulations.
- Optimization problems.
- AI and machine learning.
- Major players: IBM, Google, IonQ, Rigetti, D-Wave, China’s Origin Quantum.
What is Quantum Sensing?
- A branch of quantum technology that uses quantum effects to measure physical quantities (magnetic fields, gravity, time) with unprecedented precision.
- Applications: GPS-free navigation, medical imaging, mineral exploration, defence.
India’s National Quantum Mission
- Launched: April 2023.
- Budget: ₹6,003.65 crore over 2023-2031 (8 years).
- Vision: Make India a leading nation in quantum technologies.
- Four verticals:
- Quantum Computing.
- Quantum Communication (including QKD).
- Quantum Sensing and Metrology.
- Quantum Materials and Devices.
- 4 Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) to be set up in top academic and R&D institutions.
- Implementing agency: Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the recent FM transmitter inauguration in Jaisalmer, consider the following statements:
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated a 20-kW Akashvani FM Transmitter at Ramgarh in Jaisalmer.
- The transmitter is expected to provide radio coverage within an 80 km radius, covering nearly 20,000 sq km.
- With this addition, Rajasthan now has 39 FM transmitters.
- Akashvani is a private radio broadcaster with no government involvement.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; Akashvani is India’s national public service broadcaster under Prasar Bharati, NOT a private entity.)
Q2. With reference to Akashvani and Prasar Bharati, consider the following statements:
- Akashvani is India’s national public service radio broadcaster, founded in 1936.
- Prasar Bharati is a statutory body established under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, and operational since 1997.
- Prasar Bharati comprises both All India Radio (Akashvani) and Doordarshan.
- Prasar Bharati is a private foundation with no link to the Government of India.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; Prasar Bharati is a statutory body under the Government of India, NOT a private foundation.)
Q3. With reference to MNIT Jaipur and the announcements there, consider the following statements:
- MNIT Jaipur is one of the 31 NITs in India, an Institute of National Importance.
- The Union Minister announced an Advanced Quantum Lab focused on QKD, quantum computing simulation, and quantum sensing.
- An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab and Makers Lab were also announced.
- MNIT Jaipur is a state university with no national status.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; MNIT Jaipur is an Institute of National Importance under the NIT Act, 2007.)
Q4. With reference to India’s National Quantum Mission, consider the following statements:
- The National Quantum Mission was launched in April 2023.
- The budget is ₹6,003.65 crore over 2023-2031.
- The four verticals are Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing, and Quantum Materials and Devices.
- The mission is implemented by the Reserve Bank of India.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; the National Quantum Mission is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), NOT the RBI.)
Q5. With reference to quantum technologies, consider the following statements:
- Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a method of secure communication based on quantum mechanics.
- Quantum computing uses quantum bits (qubits) which can exist in superposition and entanglement.
- Quantum sensing uses quantum effects to measure physical quantities with unprecedented precision.
- Quantum technologies have no applications outside academic research.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; quantum technologies have wide applications in cybersecurity, defence, finance, healthcare, navigation, and drug discovery.)
Answer Key
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Akashvani is the national public service broadcaster.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Prasar Bharati is a statutory body.
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because MNIT Jaipur is an Institute of National Importance.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the National Quantum Mission is implemented by DST.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because quantum technologies have wide applications.
