Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka is well-positioned to power India’s next phase of growth in the global space economy, state IT Minister Priyank Kharge said on Monday.

He added that the Space Tech Policy 2025-2030 marks a major step towards positioning the state as India’s leading space technology hub.

The policy aims to help Karnataka capture 50 per cent of the national space technology market and 5 per cent of the global space economy by 2034, Priyank said.

Outlining the vision behind the policy, which was announced last month during the Bengaluru Tech Summit, Priyank stated that the state has set clear and measurable goals to accelerate growth in the space sector.

"Through this policy, Karnataka aims to mobilise investments of USD 5 billion, support over 500 space start-ups and MSMEs, create more than 50,000 high-skill jobs, and enable companies in the state to design and launch over 50 satellites in the coming years," he said, in a statement.

ALSO READ: Bomb threat at Mangaluru RTO turns out to be hoax

Reiterating Bengaluru’s legacy as India’s technology and innovation capital, the minister noted that the city has consistently transformed innovative ideas into nationally and globally significant missions.

"From satellites and aerospace to robotics and deep tech, Bengaluru has been the place where India’s global aspirations take shape. This ecosystem has been built over decades with the establishment of institutions such as HAL, NAL, and ISRO," he said.

The minister added that the Space Tech Policy 2025-2030 represents the next phase of Karnataka’s technology-led growth.

"The policy is designed to strengthen the state’s leadership across both upstream space technologies—covering deep-tech research, manufacturing, and core systems—and downstream innovation, where space-based applications are developed to address real-world challenges," he said.

According to the statement, key focus areas under the policy include supporting companies engaged in next-generation space capabilities such as space technology manufacturing, deftronics, and advanced wireless communications for defence and strategic applications.

To enable this, the state will establish dedicated space manufacturing clusters, develop common testing and validation facilities, and leverage Karnataka’s strong institutional linkages with organisations such as ISRO and DRDO.

"With this policy, Karnataka will create an ecosystem where innovation, manufacturing, and services companies in the sector can thrive," Priyank said.

"The state is now well-positioned to power India’s next phase of growth in the global space economy," he added.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



New Delhi: The music industry is abuzz with fresh speculation days after singer Arijit Singh announced that he would step away from taking new playback singing assignments.

According to a report by NDTV, the popular singer is now being linked to a possible entry into politics. Sources cited by the portal claim that Arijit is seriously considering exploring political work, beginning at the grassroots level. A source from the Bengali film industry told NDTV that while the singer is unlikely to contest the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, he may be thinking about forming his own political party in the future.

Arijit Singh, who hails from Jiaganj in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, has long been known for maintaining a low profile despite his immense popularity. The report suggests that his alleged interest in politics may be driven by his roots and a desire to contribute beyond music. However, the singer has not made any official statement confirming these reports.

The speculation comes shortly after Arijit announced his decision to stop taking new playback singing assignments. In a post shared on Instagram on Tuesday evening, he thanked listeners for their continued support and said he was calling time on his journey as a playback vocalist.

“Hello, Happy New Year to all. I want to thank you all for giving me so much love all these years as listeners. I am happy to announce that I am not going to be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey,” he wrote.

Arijit also clarified that he would complete his pending commitments and that some releases may still come out this year. He stressed that he was not quitting music altogether and would continue to learn and create independently.

Over the past decade, Arijit Singh has been one of the most influential voices in Hindi cinema, delivering several chart-topping songs including Tum Hi Ho, Channa Mereya, Agar Tum Saath Ho, Raabta, Kesariya, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Tera Yaar Hoon Main and Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage. He was also expected to feature in Vishal Bhardwaj’s upcoming film O Romeo. His most recent release is Ghar Kab Aaoge from Border 2.

As of now, neither Arijit Singh nor his representatives have responded to the reports linking him to a political foray.