Why Karnataka's ₹1,000 Cr Quantum Bet Stands Out in South India

India’s National Quantum Mission has already committed ₹6,000 crore toward quantum research and infrastructure nationally. Karnataka, meanwhile, has announced an additional ₹1,000 crore commitment focused on building state-level infrastructure, startup support, and talent development.

In an exclusive interview with AIM, Karnataka’s Science and Technology and Minor Irrigation Minister NS Boseraju mentions that the state’s “Quantum City” vision involves building a talent pipeline, as part of a broader strategy to ensure Bengaluru remains India’s undisputed quantum capital.

The push comes at a time when states like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are aggressively building their own quantum ecosystems. In April, Andhra Pradesh unveiled an indigenous quantum computer in Amaravati, built by Qbit Force. L Venkata Subramaniam, the former India Quantum Leader for IBM, incubated Qbit Force for this mission and achieved the moat within 14 months.

Sridhar Babu Duddilla, Minister of Information Technology, Electronics, Communications, Industries & Legislative Affairs, Government of Telangana, tells AIM that Telangana is accelerating its push into deep technologies by launching a Quantum Computing Centre of Excellence in Gachibowli.  “It will function like T-Hub—incubating ideas, supporting startups, and helping convert concepts into products,” he says.

But Karnataka believes its existing infrastructure, research institutions, startup ecosystem, and global technology brand give it a significant head start.

“Bengaluru still remains as a global IT hub,” Boseraju affirms. “But the world is moving towards quantum computers and semiconductor technologies. In that connection, the Government of Karnataka as well as the Government of India are working to give all necessary infrastructure.”

Karnataka’s ₹1,000 Cr Quantum Push

“The Government of Karnataka also announced ₹1,000 crores to establish and create infrastructure for industry, skill, and startups,” the Minister says.

The state has already initiated collaborations with international institutions, including Swiss research organisations and ETH Zurich-linked entities, to help establish training centres and research infrastructure. According to Boseraju, Karnataka has also requested the central government to establish a dedicated Quantum Materials Centre in Bengaluru.

At the centre of Karnataka’s roadmap is the proposed Quantum City, expected to come up near Hesaraghatta on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

“We already procured land outside Bengaluru’s congested place at Hesaraghatta. We want to establish the QC there and give the necessary labs whatever they need for this quantum technology,” he adds.

The government expects the project to begin showing tangible results before 2028. The state has already allocated an initial ₹10 crore in the latest budget toward the project, with additional funding expected later.

Why Karnataka Has an Edge

While newer cities like Amaravati are attempting to build technology ecosystems from scratch, Karnataka argues that Bengaluru’s decades-old research and startup infrastructure give it an unmatched advantage.

Boseraju points to institutions like the Indian Institute of Science, Raman Research Institute, and existing quantum research parks as core strengths.

The minister also argues that Karnataka’s approach differs from states relying heavily on partnerships with global technology corporations. “Andhra is depending upon IBM and TCS. We are depending upon our IISc researchers and our own infrastructure.”One of the biggest challenges in quantum technology globally is talent. Karnataka plans to train over 10,000 students in the next five years to address that gap. The state plans to connect universities, startups, and research institutions through a dedicated task force comprising industry leaders, professors, researchers, and government officials.

“We constituted a task force under Professor Arindam Ghosh,” the Minister notes. “Industry people, professors, experts, marketing side, higher education, health—everybody will coordinate.”

The government also plans to expand STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and quantum-focused laboratories into schools and regional centres across Karnataka.

While Bengaluru remains central to the state’s quantum push, Karnataka is also trying to distribute deeptech infrastructure beyond the capital. “We connected Dharwad and Raichur,” Boseraju says. “Students should get training in those places only.”

The state government is willing to offer higher subsidies, cheaper land, tax incentives, and lower power tariffs for companies willing to establish operations in northern Karnataka districts such as Gulbarga, Raichur, Belagavi, and Vijayapura. “If it is in Bengaluru, the subsidy is only 20%,” he explains. “Outside Bengaluru, we can go up to 35%.”

The broader strategy mirrors Karnataka’s attempt to reduce pressure on Bengaluru while creating new industrial growth corridors.

Competition Between Southern States Intensifies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEj0gBZHSlg

Karnataka is closely watching the moves being made by neighbouring states.

“Competition is always welcome,” Boseraju comments. “Tamil Nadu, Amaravati, Hyderabad—everybody is competing now.”

But he insists Karnataka still retains the strongest foundation. “Bengaluru is the number one state for IT and even for quantum technology. Our academia is at a very advanced stage.”

The state believes that despite aggressive incentive programmes elsewhere, companies still prefer Karnataka due to its mature ecosystem.

“In every meeting, they compare Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Chennai. But ultimately they wanted to come to Bangalore only,” he says with pride.

Karnataka’s quantum push reflects a broader shift underway across India’s technology landscape. For decades, the country’s IT growth was largely tied to services and software exports. Quantum computing, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and advanced research ecosystems now represent a different phase—one centred on sovereign technology capabilities.