Karnataka Launches INR 1,000 Cr Quantum Mission

The Karnataka government has launched INR 1,000 Cr Quantum Mission, aiming to establish the state as the “Quantum Capital of Asia” and a $20 Bn quantum economy by 2035.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah said a Quantum Technology Task Force will guide policy, while quantum parks, manufacturing zones, and Q-City will boost innovation in the state, the ET reported.

He was addressing the Quantum India Bengaluru 2025 summit yesterday. 

“By 2035, we aim to create 10,000 high-skilled jobs and establish Karnataka as the Quantum Capital of Asia,” the CM added.

The government is also planning to introduce quantum skilling programmes in 20 colleges and 150 PhD fellowships across the state.

Siddaramaiah further said that Karnataka will build India’s first Quantum Hardware Park, four innovation zones, and a dedicated fabrication facility to boost domestic manufacturing of quantum components.

The state will also allocate a Quantum Venture Capital Fund to invest in more than 100 startups and help generate 100 patents, creating two lakh jobs in the sector.

The move comes at a time when there is greater attention in the quantum technology sector, where startups are accelerating their offerings and eyeing to pick their spot in the global market by raising capital.

The union cabinet approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) in 2023, with a total budget allocation of INR 6,003.65 Cr from FY24 to FY31. The mission, under the Department of Science and Technology, aims to “seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in QT”. 

The NQM announced its plans to provide grants to 10-15 startups working in the field of quantum technology, last August.

Quantum cybersecurity startup QNu Labs secured INR 60 Cr in Series A funding led by the NQM, in April this year.

Following that, deeptech startup QpiAI raised $32 Mn in its Series A funding round co-led by Avataar Ventures and NQM, only weeks ago.