31/07/2025
India Hosts First Global Quantum Summit in Bengaluru: $20 Billion Quantum Economy Target Set for 2035
Bengaluru, July 31, 2025 — India took a historic step into the future of science and technology as the first-ever Global Quantum Summit opened in Bengaluru today, aiming to transform the country into a global hub for quantum innovation.
The summit, inaugurated by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, drew more than 1,000 delegates, including Nobel laureates, leading scientists, industry leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from across the globe. Organized by the Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS) in collaboration with the IISc Quantum Technology Initiative (IQTI), the two-day event promises to reshape India’s technological future.
Nobel Laureates Felicitated
The summit’s highlight was the felicitation of Nobel Prize winners Prof. Duncan Haldane (2016, Princeton University) and Prof. David Gross (2004, University of California, Santa Barbara). Both delivered keynote addresses praising India’s bold vision in the quantum field.
“India’s commitment to building a global quantum ecosystem is truly remarkable,” said Prof. Haldane. “Karnataka is laying the groundwork for breakthroughs that can change the world.”
Pancharatnam Prize Announced
To honor Indian talent driving real-world quantum applications, the government introduced the Pancharatnam Prize, named after physicist S. Pancharatnam, known for his pioneering work on the geometric phase. The award will carry a cash prize of ₹2 lakh and a citation, encouraging Indian researchers and innovators to take quantum science from the lab to industry.
Karnataka Quantum Mission Unveiled
In a landmark announcement, the government launched the Karnataka Quantum Mission (KQM) with a funding outlay of ₹1,000 crore, aiming to create a $20 billion quantum-driven economy by 2035.
The mission’s roadmap, titled Quantum Vision 2035, is built on five pillars — Talent Development, Advanced R&D, Infrastructure Creation, Industry Enablement, and Global Partnerships.
Key highlights include:
Establishing India’s first Quantum Research Park at IISc.
Developing a Quantum Hardware Manufacturing Zone near Bengaluru.
Creating a “Quantum City” innovation cluster to incubate 100+ startups and foster collaboration.
Offering 150 PhD fellowships annually and generating around 10,000 high-skilled jobs in the sector.
Global Participation and Industry Impact
The summit also featured discussions by leading global experts such as Prof. Tommaso Calarco (Germany), Prof. Andrea Ferrari (UK), and Prof. Subir Sachdev (USA), who shared insights on the applications of quantum technology in healthcare, finance, defense, and artificial intelligence.
An industry showcase with 20+ exhibitors and a student poster competition further underlined the state’s vision of making Karnataka the quantum capital of India.
A Defining Moment for India
“Karnataka is proud to lead India into the quantum age,” said CM Siddaramaiah during the inauguration. “With Quantum Vision 2035, we aim not only to drive technological advancement but also to ensure economic prosperity and global leadership in this transformative field.”
The Bengaluru summit cements India’s ambition to stand at the forefront of the quantum revolution, marking the beginning of a decade that could reshape the nation’s scientific and economic destiny.
