Karnataka secures spot in National Quantum Mission Board

In a significant move for cooperative federalism and deep-tech development, Karnataka has secured representation in the Hub Governing Board (HGB) of the National Quantum Mission (NQM).

Following a prompt from G. Kumar Naik, Lok Sabha member from Raichur, the Union Government acknowledged the need for State participation. On August 31, the Karnataka government nominated a senior officer for the role.

The development follows a concerted effort that began with Mr. Naik raising the issue in the Lok Sabha on August 11, under Rule 377. He had emphasised the importance of States’ active participation in the mission’s development and governance.

Responding to Mr. Naik’s intervention, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology Jitendra Singh assured that representatives from State Governments would be given an active role in the highest-level decision-making process. In a letter dated August 26, the Minister confirmed that a communication had been sent to Karnataka’s Chief Secretary to nominate a senior officer.

In a swift response, the State Government, through an order issued by Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on August 31, confirmed the nomination of Ekrup Caur, Secretary, Department of Information Technology and Bio Technology (ITBT), as the Nodal Officer for the HGB, to be located in the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) in Bengaluru.

On August 31, G. Kumar Naik welcomed the Union Government’s decision and the State Government’s swift response, calling it a ‘significant step towards cooperative federalism and shared progress’. He highlighted Karnataka’s robust research ecosystem, thriving startups, and skilled talent pool, stating the State is ‘fully prepared to co-create India’s quantum future’.

Mr. Naik also praised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for their visionary leadership and for the state’s comprehensive vision for quantum technology development, which included a committed ₹1,000 crore Quantum Fund. He extended his appreciation to N.S. Boseraju, Minister for Science & Technology, for leading the conceptualisation and execution of the first-ever Quantum India Summit 2025, a landmark event that brought together global experts in Bengaluru.