Karnataka to hold key meet on Jul 16 to boost quantum tech

Bengaluru, Jul 14 (PTI) In a significant step toward positioning Karnataka as a national hub for quantum technologies, the state government will hold a high-level committee meeting on July 16, officials said on Monday.

This meeting will be held under the joint leadership of Minister for Science and Technology and Minor Irrigation, N S Boseraju, Minister for Industries M B Patil, Minister for IT/BT Priyank Kharge, and Minister for Higher Education M C Sudhakar, they said.

In a statement, Minister Boseraju highlighted that Karnataka has already created a strong foundation in the quantum technology sector. Notably, India’s first dedicated Quantum Research Park has been established at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

The state has sanctioned Rs 48 crore for the development of its second phase, reinforcing its commitment to future technologies, he said.

According to him, the July 16 meeting will bring together senior government officials, representatives from prominent quantum technology companies, and key policy makers.

The agenda includes discussions on formulating a 'quantum action plan', dedicated quantum hardware manufacturing zone, industry-academia joint curriculum councils, defining enabling policies, and initiating skill development strategies to build a highly trained quantum workforce.

The government is particularly focused on promoting research and industry growth in emerging areas such as quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing, alongside creating a startup-friendly environment.

Boseraju further stated that Bengaluru offers the ideal ecosystem for quantum advancement, with a robust network of academic institutions, research organisations, and forward-looking industries.

By enabling synergy between these sectors, Karnataka has the potential to become a global quantum hub. As part of this vision, the state has already hosted India’s first Quantum Conference, a landmark initiative in the country's science and innovation space, he said.

Boseraju reiterated that Karnataka is committed to providing the policy framework, infrastructure, and academic-industry collaboration necessary to transform the state into a global leader in quantum technologies. PTI AMP ROH