Karnataka to unveil quantum action plan at Bengaluru summit

Bengaluru: Karnataka will unveil a 'Quantum Action Plan' at the inaugural edition of the Quantum India Bengaluru Summit, announced minister N S Boseraju on Tuesday, as the state looks to strengthen its footprint in a key technology.

The action plan will be unveiled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the inaugural edition of the summit scheduled to take place on July 31 and August 1. 

"The Quantum Action Plan will be a strategic roadmap that will harness Karnataka's full potential to build a sustainable quantum ecosystem. This will help in harnessing international collaborations," said Boseraju, the Minister for Minor Irrigation and Science and Technology, at a curtain raiser event in Bengaluru's Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium.   

The plan will lay out the next step in the education and manufacturing sectors, he stated. 

Some key components of the action plan include integrating quantum education at various levels of the academic ecosystem and establishing cutting-edge research infrastructure in collaboration with institutions like IISc. It will also provide targeted support to startups and industries in quantum computing, communication and cryptography and draft policies and regulatory frameworks to encourage innovation in the quantum domain. 

A Quantum Task Force, comprising leading experts in the field, will soon be constituted to formulate Karnataka's action plan. 

"While we're working with the IISc, we are also having discussions with multiple private educational institutions to get an understanding about the future of quantum and where it will belong in our state," he said.

"We're also talking to several scientists and researchers before we settle on the finer details of the action plan. The aim is to ensure Karnataka leads the country in quantum technologies, and one day also leads globally," he told DH. 

Boseraju positioned the summit as the first step in establishing Karnataka as a global hub in the quantum space. "This is why we have pushed to have the summit in Bengaluru. Quantum technologies will be developed here first before anywhere else in the country," he said.

"Karnataka is already leaving a mark in the quantum space compared to other states. Under the leadership of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, the Government of Karnataka is taking proactive steps to establish the state as a Quantum Capital of India. We have the potential to conquer this space, like we have done in the field of IT and aerospace," he added. 

Highlights - Key components of plan Integrating quantum education at various levels of the academic ecosystem Establishing cutting-edge research infra in collaboration with institutions like IISc Provide targeted support to startups and industries in quantum computing, communication and cryptography Draft policies and regulatory frameworks to encourage innovation in quantum domain 

Karnataka is already leaving a mark in the quantum space compared to other states. Under the leadership of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister the Government of Karnataka is taking proactive steps to establish the state as a Quantum Capital of India. We have the potential to conquer this space like we have done in the field of IT and aerospace

N S Boseraju Minister for Minor Irrigation and Science and Technology