Karnataka Charts Ambitious Plan to Accelerate Nanotechnology Sector Growth
The Karnataka government has announced a series of initiatives aimed at positioning the state as a leader in India's nanotechnology sector, according to Minister for Home, IT, BT and E-governance Priyank Kharge. Speaking at a curtain raiser event for Bengaluru India Nano 2026, Mr. Kharge outlined plans to focus on talent development, establish a Nanotechnology Mission, and explore a Nanotechnology Manufacturing Corridor.
Mr. Kharge emphasised that nanotechnology is highly interdisciplinary, requiring the integration of core sciences with advanced engineering. Karnataka, he said, has the potential to lead the growth of this emerging industry in India. To accelerate this growth, the government will collaborate with institutions such as IITs, research organisations, academia, and industry partners to create a skilled workforce.
Bengaluru India Nano 2026, the 14th edition of Karnataka's nanotech exposition, is scheduled for August 3-5 at The LaLiT, Bengaluru. The theme for this year is 'Nanotech's Next Frontier: AI & Beyond: Conceive, Converge and Commercialise.'
Under the proposed Nanotechnology Mission, the government will work closely with industry stakeholders to streamline efforts and promote innovation. Additionally, a Nanotechnology Manufacturing Corridor is under consideration to provide the necessary infrastructure for building a robust nanotechnology ecosystem.
Mr. Kharge highlighted the potential of nanotechnology to enhance safety in homes and government buildings. By manipulating matter at the nanoscale, it can enable highly sensitive sensors, ultra-strong protective materials, and advanced chemical neutralisers, making security systems faster and protective gear more resilient.
Navakanta Bhat, Chair of the Vision Group on Nanotechnology and Dean of the Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences at IISc, elaborated on the applications of nanotechnology. He noted that data centres currently consume enormous amounts of energy, while the human brain operates on just 20 watts. Nanotechnology can lead to ultra-low-power devices, including those used in AI, and has enabled nano-robots capable of targeting cancer cells in the human bloodstream.
Anil Kumar P.S., Chair of the CEC for Bengaluru India Nano 2026 and Dean at IISc, observed that India is witnessing a paradigm shift in its semiconductor aspirations. He expects rapid progress in advanced manufacturing, nano-fabrication, and lithography, which are critical for building a self-reliant electronics ecosystem.
