Insider Brief
- Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unveiled a roadmap at Quantum India Bengaluru 2025 to establish the state as a leading hub for quantum technology in Asia, supported by a ₹1,000 crore state-level initiative and aligned with India’s National Quantum Mission.
- The plan includes five pillars: talent development, R&D targets like a 1,000-qubit processor, new infrastructure including a Quantum Hardware Park and FabLine, startup support through a venture fund and international partnerships.
- The state aims to create a $20 billion quantum economy by 2035 with real-world applications in defense, healthcare, cybersecurity, and governance, TheSouthFirst.com reports.
At the inaugural Quantum India Bengaluru 2025 summit, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah laid out a five-part plan to position the state as a leader of India’s quantum efforts. The event was organized by the state’s Department of Science and Technology in partnership with the Indian Institute of Science’s Quantum Technology Initiative (IQTI) and supported by India’s National Quantum Mission, TheSouthFirst.com reported.
Karnataka is an Indian state located in the southern part of India, with Bengaluru as its capital.
Siddaramaiah said, as reported by TheSouthFirst.com: “Karnataka has long been India’s technology and innovation capital, with strengths in IT, biotechnology, and research. Bengaluru’s legacy as a knowledge hub makes it the ideal host for this summit. The theme – ‘Building a Quantum Ecosystem: Qubits to Society’ – reflects our commitment to translating quantum research into solutions for healthcare, defense, finance, and governance.”
The ultimate goal is to build a $20 billion quantum economy, he added.
“As the world celebrates 2025 as the International Year of Quantum, I am proud to unveil Karnataka’s Quantum Vision 2035, an ambitious roadmap aimed at building a $20 billion quantum economy,” Siddaramaiah told the audience, according to TheSouthFirst.com. “This vision focuses on generating high-skilled jobs, nurturing industries, and advancing cutting-edge research that delivers tangible benefits to society. To realize this, we are launching the Karnataka Quantum Mission (KQM), supported by a ₹1,000 crore fund dedicated to research and development, skilling programs, infrastructure development, and startup support. A Quantum Technology Task Force will be established to steer policy and strategic direction, while new quantum parks, manufacturing zones, and Q-City — our integrated quantum innovation hub — will drive technological advancement. Q-City is envisioned to position India as a global quantum leader, much like how Bengaluru once emerged as a pioneer in the IT revolution.”
Pillars: Skills, Research, Infrastructure, Partnerships and Industry Support
The Chief Minister said the plan includes large-scale skill development, advanced research targets, infrastructure expansion, startup funding and global collaboration. It aims to support 150 PhD fellowships each year and roll out quantum skilling programs across 20 colleges to build a technical workforce ready for jobs in hardware, software, and applied research.
According to the article, the state also intends to develop 1,000-qubit quantum processors and pilot applications in cybersecurity, healthcare, and defense. These goals echo national priorities under India’s ₹6,000 crore (roughly $730 million) National Quantum Mission, which backs R&D in quantum computing, sensing, materials and communications.
Infrastructure is a key focus of Karnataka’s plan. Officials said the state will establish India’s first Quantum Hardware Park, four innovation zones, and a dedicated fabrication line — referred to as a “FabLine” — to support domestic production of key quantum components. As TheSouthFirst.com reports, these facilities aim to provide the foundation for a broader ecosystem capable of supporting global-level R&D and manufacturing.
To encourage entrepreneurship, the government plans to nurture more than 100 quantum startups and support the filing of at least 100 patents. A new Quantum Venture Capital Fund is expected to help startups access early-stage and growth funding. The state also emphasized the importance of connecting local innovation to global markets through events like the India Quantum Conclave and partnerships with international research institutions.
Real People, Real Problems, Real Quantum Solutions
But the plan is not just about scientific achievement, officials said. As reported by TheSouthFirst.com, the Chief Minister positioned quantum technology as a means to achieve inclusive development. Potential citizen benefits include secure digital communications, early disease detection, smarter agriculture, and improved governance systems. These real-world use cases are central to Karnataka’s argument that quantum investment can serve public as well as strategic interests.
Karnataka has already taken steps toward building this foundation. The state government recently approved ₹48 crore (about $5.6 million) for the next phase of IISc’s Quantum Research Park, expanding its infrastructure and providing startup and researcher access to cutting-edge lab space and equipment.
The timing of Karnataka’s announcement reflects a broader global acceleration in quantum investment. Governments in the United States, China, the European Union and elsewhere have committed billions of dollars to quantum technologies. India’s mission, though smaller in scale, represents one of the most coordinated quantum programs in the Global South.
“Globally, nations are advancing rapidly in quantum computing, cryptography, and sensing technologies. In this competitive landscape, India is making significant strides through the National Quantum Mission, with Karnataka proudly leading the way,” Siddaramaiah said at the event. “With premier institutions like IISc, world-class research centers, and a thriving startup ecosystem, Karnataka is uniquely positioned to drive India’s quantum revolution. But this is more than just a policy roadmap—it is a call to action. I invite scientists, entrepreneurs, and the youth to build, scale, and export quantum innovations from Karnataka to the world. Let this summit spark fresh ideas, foster powerful partnerships, and fuel groundbreaking innovations that accelerate India’s quantum excellence.”
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