Karnataka government sets up Quantum Task Force

The State government has constituted a 16-member 'Quantum Task Force' with an aim to establish Karnataka as a national hub for quantum technology and innovation, officials said on Monday.

The development comes after a government order was recently issued by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science and Technology, in this regard, they said.

The task force has been formed to implement the outlines and strategies of the 'Karnataka Quantum Roadmap,' which was recently unveiled at the Quantum India Bengaluru Summit, officials said.


Prof Arindam Ghosh, JRD Tata Chair Professor and J C Bose National Fellow at the Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has been appointed as the Chairman of this prestigious task force, a statement from the department said.

The Director of the Department of Science and Technology (Govt. of Karnataka) and Managing Director of KSTEPS (Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society) will serve as the Member Secretary.

The 16-member committee comprises prominent experts from academic institutions, research centres, the tech industry, and senior government officials, it said.

"This high-level task force will provide the necessary policy formulation, strategic direction, and institutional guidance to foster quantum technology research, innovation, startup support, and industrial adoption in the state," the department said.

The committee will be responsible for blueprinting and overseeing the development of key cutting-edge infrastructure in the state, including the mega 'Quantum City in Hesserghatta', which is poised to become the epicentre of India's quantum ecosystem, the department added.