Karnataka has unveiled India’s first comprehensive Quantum Ecosystem Map and formally launched Phase-1 of its quantum technology roadmap on World Quantum Day, positioning the state as Asia’s emerging leader in quantum innovation amid global competition for supremacy in computing, communication, and sensing technologies. Prepared by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the map captures the state’s unmatched ecosystem across research institutions like IISc, Raman Research Institute (RRI), JNCASR, and ICTS; over 20 quantum startups; and industry collaborations, identifying strengths in hardware prototyping and gaps in fabrication facilities.
Science and Technology Minister NS Boseraju emphasised the initiative’s role in accelerating research commercialisation, with a Rs 10 crore seed grant allocated for skilling, fellowships, and early-stage ventures under the “From Vision to Reality” programme.
Q-City: Integrated Quantum Hub
Central to the roadmap is Q-City, a flagship 6-acre innovation campus proposed for Hesaraghatta near Bengaluru with an initial Rs 1,000 crore investment, featuring advanced research labs, quantum hardware park, cryogenic testing facilities, cloud-based Quantum-as-a-Service (QaaS) platforms, and a deep-tech startup zone. The single-window hub will foster academia-industry partnerships, aiming to generate 100 patents, support 100+ startups, and create 10,000 high-skilled jobs by 2035 toward a $20 billion quantum economy. A detailed project report will guide implementation, overseen by the Quantum Task Force chaired by IISc professor Arindam Ghosh.
Deep Tech Decade Momentum
The quantum push aligns with Karnataka’s “Deep Tech Decade” declared in November 2025, backed by a Rs 600 crore fund—including Rs 150 crore for AI/frontier tech via DeepTech Elevate, Rs 75 crore KITVEN investments, and Rs 110 crore for institutional incubators across 11 universities. IT&BT Minister Priyank Kharge highlighted equity-free grants up to Rs 50 lakh catalysing Rs 732 crore in VC funding in one day, expanding beyond Bengaluru to hubs in Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, and Kalaburagi. Bengaluru’s 1,000+ global capability centres provide a foundation for quantum scaling.
Karnataka’s roadmap targets regional expansion through four innovation zones and a Quantum Venture Capital Fund, leveraging ISRO collaborations and aiming for 150 PhD fellowships to build talent pipelines.
