Karnataka CM unveils three policies to transform state into global destination for innovation
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday unveiled three major policies -- Information Technology Policy, SpaceTech Policy and Startup Policy -- to transform the state into a global destination for innovation and deep tech solutions.
This will strengthen the state's position as India's leading technology hub, he said, asserting that Karnataka is "not merely participating in the global tech revolution, but leading it".
The chief minister said this during the inauguration of the 28th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 here, organised by the Karnataka Department of Electronics, IT and BT and Software Technology Parks of India (STPI).
Noting that Karnataka has always led India in policy innovation, the CM said, "We launched India's first IT policy in 1997 and continue this leadership with new policies.
"At this summit, we are also taking a historic step with the launch of three transformative policies: The Karnataka Information Technology Policy 2025-2030, the SpaceTech Policy 2025-2030, and the Startup Policy 2025-2030. With this data-driven, emerging technology-ready Karnataka Information Technology Policy, we aim to transform the state into a global destination for innovation and deep tech."
With the SpaceTech Policy 2025-2030, Siddaramaiah said, "We aim to position Karnataka as India's leading space technology hub, capturing 50 per cent of the national market and 5 per cent globally by 2034."
"The new Startup Policy is being launched, and this policy aims to enable the creation of 25,000 startups over the next five years through strategic interventions in funding, market access, infrastructure, talent development, and social inclusion," he said, asserting that this forward-looking governance enhances Karnataka's competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global tech landscape.
Themed "Futurise", the three-day summit will bring together global leaders, policymakers, investors, startups, and innovators to explore emerging frontiers across DeepTech, Biotech & HealthTech, Semiconductors, and Startup Innovation.
Siddaramaiah said that Karnataka continues to remain one of India's top states for FDI inflows, global partnerships, and multinational investments due to its stability, predictability and transparency.
"The ecosystem blends world-class engineering, transparent policy, strong IP culture, and vibrant global communities. Our business environment is supported by top-tier legal, financial and technical expertise along with strong global connectivity," he added.
The chief minister highlighted that Bengaluru's temperate climate, multicultural character, and open civic culture attract people from across the world.
"Karnataka offers everything businesses require, from research to markets, from infrastructure to talent. Innovation thrives where quality of life thrives. Karnataka is not simply participating in the global tech revolution. It is leading it," he added.
Reiterating the government's focus on building future-ready infrastructure for deep-science and advanced engineering, the chief minister said that the state has already established Centres of Excellence in AI, cyber-security, data science, animation and robotics, and is the first in India to launch a dedicated roadmap for quantum technologies.
He said that inclusivity is a defining feature of the state's approach.
Through the "Beyond Bengaluru" initiative, the chief minister said, "We are consciously decentralising our technology economy by developing Tier-2 cities as the next generation innovation clusters. This is not merely an economic strategy, it is a commitment to equitable growth".
"Every district in Karnataka must have access to the opportunities of the digital age. Every young person, whether in a metro or a small town, should have the chance to build a career in high-value technology and research."
Reiterating the government's commitment to fostering a supportive innovation ecosystem, the chief minister said Karnataka remains open and welcomes global and domestic players.
"Our message to the world is simple and sincere: the Government of Karnataka is here to support you. Whether you are a global company seeking to establish an R&D centre, a startup building your first prototype, an academician conducting frontier research, or an investor searching for transformative ideas, Karnataka is your home. We will provide the infrastructure, the skills, the policy environment, the talent pipeline, and above all, the confidence that your ambition will find every possible support here," he said.
Calling for collaboration, Siddaramaiah urged innovators, researchers, founders, investors, students, and leaders gathered to help shape the future.
"Let us work together to ensure that Artificial Intelligence becomes a force for inclusion, that Quantum Technologies unlock new frontiers of science, that Biotechnology and SpaceTech push the boundaries of human progress, and that DeepTech solutions address the biggest challenges of our time," he added.
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Parents fear uncertainty after Karnataka govt rules out age limit relaxation for Class 1 admission
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has ruled out any relaxation of the minimum age limit for admission to Class 1 beginning with the academic year 2026-27. Following the refusal, a group of parents continues to press for leniency.
Parents of children who fall under the age of six by a small margin on the cut-off date have met Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and senior officials from the Department of School Education and Literacy to request an exemption. School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa said that the government will not change its decision, as reported by Deccan Herald.
According to the minister, children must be six years old by June 1 to be eligible for admission to Class 1. beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. He noted that the previous relaxation was a one-time measure that was clearly confined to the 2025-26 academic year.
“If such requests are entertained every year, it will never end. While granting relaxation last year, it was explicitly stated that it applied only to one academic year. From 2026-27 onwards, the rule will be strictly implemented,” Bangarappa was quoted by DH.
Parents argue that the rigid cut-off is affecting children who are short by a few days. One parent was quoted by DH as saying that his daughter would be 12 days short of completing six years on June 1. Such parents would be forced to repeat a year despite being academically ready. Others pointed out that children promoted from LKG to UKG during the 2025-26 academic year are now facing uncertainty over their transition to Class 1.
Few parents also recalled that earlier, admissions were allowed for children aged between five years and 10 months and six years. Parents saw it as a more practical approach, with children born in November and December being disproportionately affected.
The issue of age criterion goes back to a government order issued in July 2022. The order mandated six years as the minimum age for Class 1 admission. Parents of children already enrolled in pre-primary classes, protested against the order and the state deferred implementation, announcing that the rule would come into force from the 2025-26 academic year.
After renewed pressure, the government granted a one-year relaxation for 2025-26, citing the large number of students affected and in consultation with the State Education Policy Commission. While announcing the exemption, the minister had stated that no further concessions would be allowed.
