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Bengaluru: In a significant step towards strengthening its position in advanced technologies, Karnataka on World Quantum Day 2026 unveiled India’s first comprehensive Quantum Ecosystem Map. The initiative, introduced under the theme “From Vision to Reality,” also marks the rollout of Phase 1 of the State’s Quantum Roadmap.

Announcing the development at an event organised by the Department of Science and Technology, Karnataka, Science and Technology Minister N S Boseraju said the state has taken the lead in mapping its quantum capabilities in a structured and strategic manner.

According to the minister, the ecosystem map has been prepared by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and outlines key technological strengths, research capabilities and institutional collaborations in the quantum domain. He stated that Karnataka is positioning itself as both a national leader and an emerging global hub in quantum innovation.

A major component of the roadmap is the proposed “Q-City”, envisioned as a dedicated quantum hub that will integrate academia, startups and industry under one platform. The project aims to function as a single-window ecosystem to accelerate the conversion of research into practical applications.

Boseraju said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Q-City will soon be initiated under the supervision of the State’s Quantum Task Force to ensure coordinated and time-bound execution.

To strengthen the talent pipeline, the state government has earmarked Rs 10 crore to support skill development, research initiatives and startup growth in the quantum sector. The minister also announced the appointment of IISc Professor Arindam Ghosh as Chairman of the Karnataka Quantum Task Force, expressing confidence in his leadership to drive the next phase of growth.

IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge, addressing the gathering, highlighted Karnataka’s broader push towards deep technology innovation. He said the state has declared the coming years as the “Deep Tech Decade” and backed it with a Rs 400 crore fund.

Kharge noted that equity-free grants of up to Rs 50 lakh have been extended to over 1,300 startups, helping mobilise Rs 732 crore in venture capital funding in a single day. He added that while Bengaluru ranks among the world’s largest technology clusters with over 1,000 Global Capability Centres (GCCs), the government is expanding innovation beyond the capital city.

Through the Local Economic Acceleration Programme (LEAP), backed by Rs 1,000 crore, the state aims to extend its technology-driven growth model to other cities across Karnataka.