Quantum park training lab for students by mid-2026, says Science & Technology Minister N S Boseraju

In the run-up to the Quantum India Bengaluru Summit starting July 31, Science & Technology Minister N S Boseraju spoke to DH’s Asra Mavad about Karnataka’s Quantum Action Plan, expected outcomes and their impact on the state’s education curricula. Excerpts:

What are your key goals and outcomes for India’s first Quantum Summit in Bengaluru? 

The inaugural summit is envisioned as a turning point not just for Karnataka, but for India’s strategic ambitions in quantum technologies. I hope the event will cement Karnataka’s role as India’s quantum capital and inspire confidence among global collaborators to invest in the state. Tangibly, the summit is expected to catalyse MoUs across academia and industry, shape policy inputs for Karnataka’s Quantum Mission, attract foreign investment into state-funded R&D infrastructure like the Quantum Research Park at IISc and activate regional partnerships. Our aim is to develop a $20 billion quantum economy in the next decade. Our focus is on indigenous industries. While foreign investment is welcome, our main is that Karnataka’s indigenous industries must grow. We don’t want India to be dependent on other countries, and give an opportunity for people like (US president) Donald Trump to use this to their advantage.

When can we expect the Quantum Action Plan?

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will release a strategic roadmap and action plan for Karnataka’s quantum mission on the first day of the summit. We’re organising talks and roundtables with delegates attending the summit, and also the two Nobel Laureates — Professor Duncan Haldane (2016 Nobel Laureate) and Professor David Gross (2004 Nobel Laureate) — on how to carry forward the Quantum Action Plan. 

Has the Quantum Task Force been constituted?

We are conceptualising the Quantum Task Force with leading industry leaders, scientists from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Raman Research Institute and Indian Space Research Organisation. This will be operational very soon. We’re aligning the timeline with India’s national quantum mission milestones. We will have rotating panels and subcommittees to review progress quarterly.

What financial support can startups and SMEs working in quantum computing and related fields expect?

Karnataka is developing a quantum startup acceleration framework. We’re planning a subsidised R&D workspace within the quantum research park, and sectoral mentorship from domain experts and industry veterans. Policy-level interventions include IP fast-tracking, tax exemptions for hardware prototyping and soft-landing support for international collaborations. We will also offer shared access to high-end fabrication and testing labs, particularly for quantum sensors and communication devices. Startups in tier-2 cities will benefit from satellite incubation centres and innovation hubs. We want to ensure that quantum innovation is not restricted to Bengaluru. We’ll offer higher subsidies to companies branching out beyond Bengaluru. Industries are now showing interest in north Karnataka, specifically Hubballi and Dharwad.

How do you plan to integrate quantum and AI into education curricula from schools to universities to develop the next-generation workforce?

With quantum being the future, we’re not holding back on this front. At the high school level, foundational modules in quantum concepts will be introduced in the proposed Nehru Stream Labs, potentially the first of its kind in India. At the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the government is considering introducing new degree programs in Quantum Technology, AI and interdisciplinary STEM in public universities. The State Higher Education Council, in partnership with IISc and education department, will deliver model curricula and train faculty statewide. To ensure reach beyond Bengaluru, satellite campuses and regional centres of excellence are planned in north Karnataka, particularly Dharwad and Raichur. These will be equipped with remote labs, hybrid teaching tools and visiting faculty from premier institutions. In future, we want to integrate quantum with other sectors like health and defence. 

Any updates on the quantum research park at IISc?

We plan to host dilution refrigerators, a critical component for quantum computers and other measurement systems relevant to quantum technology applications. Further, we plan to build a state-of-the-art training lab for UG, PG students and faculty. The facility will be accessible to industries and start-ups as well. We hope to operationalise the training lab by mid-2026 and other facilities by end of 2026.