New Delhi. : In a landmark move for India’s deep-tech ecosystem, Karnataka has announced the installation of the country’s first commercial quantum computer at Indian Institute of Information Technology – Dharwad (IIIT-Dharwad). The initiative reinforces the state’s ambition to emerge as a national hub for advanced and frontier technologies.
The announcement was made by Priyank Kharge, Minister for IT, BT and Rural Development, following high-level meetings with Bengaluru-based deeptech firm QpiAI and Singapore-headquartered water technology company ZWEEC.
Strengthening Karnataka’s Quantum Ecosystem
Highlighting the strategic importance of the development, the minister stated that Karnataka is moving decisively to build a world-class quantum technology ecosystem. The deployment of India’s first indigenously developed commercial quantum computer at IIIT-Dharwad marks a major milestone in the country’s journey towards quantum readiness.
During discussions with QpiAI, the company presented its roadmap to significantly scale its quantum capabilities—progressing from a 25-qubit system to a 1,000-qubit quantum computer over the next two to three years. These plans align with the state government’s vision of fostering homegrown innovation and supporting advanced research infrastructure.
In addition, Karnataka has announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Quantum AI and Computing at IIIT-Dharwad, aimed at driving research, industry collaboration, and talent development in quantum and artificial intelligence domains.
Exploring Advanced Water Safety Solutions for Rural Karnataka
In a separate meeting, ZWEEC demonstrated its biomonitoring technology designed to detect drinking water contamination and provide early warnings for algal blooms. The solution has been proposed as a potential tool to strengthen water safety monitoring, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions of the state.
The minister noted that the government will assess the feasibility of piloting this technology in collaboration with the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department, with a focus on improving public health outcomes through early detection and preventive action.
Government–Industry Collaboration at the Core
Officials said the engagements with QpiAI and ZWEEC reflect Karnataka’s broader strategy of leveraging public-private partnerships to accelerate technology adoption. By combining cutting-edge research with practical, scalable solutions, the state aims to address real-world challenges while building long-term capacity in emerging sectors such as quantum computing, AI, and sustainable infrastructure.
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