Karnataka, known for its leadership in India’s IT sector, is reinforcing its global standing with strategic policies. The Karnataka IT Policy 2020 aims to foster innovation, support startups, and enhance digital inclusivity, positioning the state as a frontrunner in the competitive IT landscape. Simultaneously, the Data Center Policy targets Karnataka’s emergence as a data hub, catering to escalating demands for digital infrastructure. The Engineering Research & Development Policy seeks to attract global tech giants and service providers, leveraging Karnataka’s technological prowess. Complementing these, the Cybersecurity Policy 2024 fortifies the state’s digital defenses, fostering a secure environment for digital operations.

IT Policy
Karnataka has established itself as a pioneer in India’s Information Technology (IT) sector, and with the introduction of the Karnataka IT Policy 2020, the state is poised to further cement its position as a global IT leader. The policy is a strategic blueprint aimed at nurturing innovation, bolstering startups, and promoting digital inclusivity to ensure that the state continues to thrive in the competitive IT landscape.

At the heart of the policy are key objectives designed to propel the state’s IT industry forward. A strong emphasis is on promoting innovation and research and development (R&D) activities, which are critical for sustaining technological advancement. The state is committed to creating an environment that supports tech startups and spurs creative breakthroughs.

Recognizing the importance of infrastructure, the policy focuses on developing state-of-the-art facilities, including IT parks and zones, and improving digital connectivity across urban and rural areas. This infrastructure push is complemented by initiatives to address the skill gap in the IT sector. The policy outlines comprehensive training and upskilling programs to equip the workforce with the necessary skills to meet the industry’s evolving demands.

Digital inclusion is another cornerstone of the policy, which aims to ensure that IT’s benefits extend to all segments of society. The policy advocates integrating IT in education, healthcare, and other vital sectors to bridge the digital divide and foster equitable growth.

Karnataka, particularly its capital city, Bengaluru, is often dubbed the Silicon Valley of India. The state is home to many global IT corporations and a vibrant startup ecosystem, making it a significant contributor to its economy through job creation and exports. The IT landscape in Karnataka is characterised by its diverse IT hubs, with cities like Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Hubballi-Dharwad emerging as important centres of IT activity. The state’s strong talent pool, supported by numerous esteemed engineering and management institutions and multinational companies’ Indian headquarters in Karnataka, underscores its critical role in the global IT network.

The Karnataka IT Policy 2020 lays out a range of incentives to attract and retain IT companies. Financial incentives include subsidies on land acquisition, tax exemptions, and power tariff rebates. Infrastructure support is provided through the encouragement of IT parks and special economic zones (SEZs) with cutting-edge facilities. The policy also focuses on streamlining regulatory processes and offering single-window clearances to simplify the ease of doing business in the state. Startups receive special attention with dedicated incentives, funding opportunities, incubation centres, and mentorship programs.

The Karnataka IT Policy 2020 presents a well-rounded framework that aims to sustain and elevate the state’s status in the IT domain. By tackling critical areas such as innovation, infrastructure, and skill development, the policy seeks to build a resilient and inclusive IT ecosystem. The array of incentives and support mechanisms detailed in the policy is strategically designed to attract investment and stimulate growth, ensuring that Karnataka remains a beacon of IT excellence on the global stage.

Data Center Policy
Karnataka is poised to become a leading data centre hub by introducing its Data Center Policy, which is designed to create a nurturing environment for the growth of data centres in the state. This move responds to the escalating demand for data storage and processing capabilities driven by widespread digitalisation across various sectors.

The policy recognises the critical need for robust digital infrastructure to support burgeoning digital activities. Data centres are pivotal in this landscape, contributing significantly to the economy by attracting investments, creating jobs, and supporting ancillary industries. Furthermore, the policy underscores the importance of data sovereignty, ensuring that data generated within Karnataka is stored and managed locally, thereby enhancing data security and sovereignty. It also promotes technological advancement by encouraging the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), all of which require extensive data storage and processing capabilities.

Already a renowned technology hub in India, particularly in Bengaluru, Karnataka is home to numerous IT companies and startups. Its strategic location and robust IT infrastructure position it ideally for hosting data centres. Focusing on innovation, a skilled workforce, and favourable policies amplify Karnataka’s appeal for data centre investments.

To attract these investments, the policy outlines a series of financial incentives, including capital subsidies, power tariff subsidies, and exemptions from stamp duty and registration fees to reduce initial setup costs for data centres. Additionally, the state is committed to providing infrastructure support, ensuring uninterrupted power supply, high-speed internet connectivity, and efficient road connectivity to data centre sites.

Implementing a single-window clearance mechanism is a game-changer, streamlining the approval process, facilitating quicker approvals, and reducing bureaucratic delays. The policy also includes initiatives to enhance the local workforce’s skills in data centre operations and management, ensuring a steady supply of skilled professionals. Moreover, it encourages the adoption of green technologies and sustainable practices in data centre operations, aligning with the global move towards environmental sustainability.

In summary, Karnataka’s Data Center Policy is a well- thought-out framework that aims to position the state as a hub for data centre investments. The policy bolsters Karnataka’s economic and technological growth by addressing critical infrastructure needs and offering compelling incentives, making it a preferred destination for national and international data centre operators.

Also Read | KDEM Drives Karnataka’s Digital Future Infrastructure, Innovation, and Investment

Engineering Research & Development Policy

Karnataka, a state renowned for its technological prowess, has embarked on an ambitious journey to cement its position as a global leader in Engineering Research and Development (ER&D) by implementing a comprehensive ER&D Policy. This strategic framework is crafted to entice multinational companies, Global Capability Centers, and Engineering Service Providers to set up shop in Karnataka by offering a thriving ecosystem with state-of-the-art infrastructure and a reservoir of skilled professionals.

Central to the policy is creating an integrated value chain that knits together academia, industry veterans, and various stakeholders within the ER&D domain. The goal is to stimulate a collaborative environment ripe for innovation. The policy focuses on key sectors such as automotive, aerospace, defence, computing systems, telecom, consumer electronics, software products, medical devices, semiconductors, and industrial energy, aiming to catalyse growth and specialisation in these areas.

Recognizing the critical need for a workforce adept in contemporary skills, the policy underscores the importance of applied research in educational institutions, the development of future skills courses, and the promotion of internships and fellowships. These initiatives are designed to narrow the gap between academic theory and practical industry applications.

Karnataka’s allure as an ER&D nexus is evident in the multitude of ER&D centres established by leading global corporations within its borders. These centres are instrumental in propelling advancements across various sectors, and the policy seeks to bolster their operations while drawing in additional investments to fortify the state’s economic landscape.

The policy is replete with incentives aimed at nurturing a dynamic ER&D ecosystem. The Innovation Labs Program fosters open innovation by providing the necessary resources for R&D. The R&D Infrastructure Program is committed to enhancing the testing and prototyping infrastructure. The Digital Innovation for Services Challenges initiative supports digital service innovation by offering various support mechanisms.

Moreover, the Applied Research in Academia Program champions the industrial application of academic research, while the Internship and Fellowship Programs are tailored to equip engineering students with industry-relevant skills. The Go & See Centers initiative is designed to showcase Karnataka’s ER&D capabilities to potential clients and investors, and the state actively promotes participation in R&D events both domestically and internationally to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaborative opportunities.

In conclusion, Karnataka’s ER&D policy is a visionary blueprint to transform the state into a hotbed for engineering research and development. By fostering an ecosystem that emphasises an integrated approach, sectoral expertise, and talent cultivation, the policy is poised to position Karnataka at the forefront of ER&D activities. The incentives laid out are expected to amplify the state’s potential, attract global investments, and usher in a new era of innovation and economic prosperity in engineering research and development.

Cybersecurity Policy 2024
Karnataka, a frontrunner in India’s IT revolution, has unveiled a Cybersecurity Policy to safeguard its burgeoning digital landscape. At the heart of this policy are five strategic pillars: Building Awareness, Skill Building, Promoting Research and Innovation, Promotion of Industry and Start-ups, and Partnerships and Collaborations for Capacity Building. These pillars are meticulously crafted to nurture a strong cybersecurity culture, enhance the state’s security posture, and create a secure digital transaction and operations environment.

The need for such a policy is driven by Karnataka’s IT sector’s explosive growth and ambitious plans to transform society through Information Technology. With cyber threats rising, the policy is a timely response to protect the state’s digital infrastructure, ensuring that electronic transactions and services are trusted and secure. The complexity of cyberspace, with its web of interconnected devices, amplifies the urgency for a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

Karnataka’s leadership in IT and emerging technologies is evident through its pioneering e-Governance initiatives like Grama One Centers, Seva Sindhu, and telemedicine services. These initiatives have significantly increased IT adoption across healthcare, education, and financial services. However, this digital expansion also escalates the risk of cyber-attacks. The Cybersecurity Policy is thus critical in safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining the public’s trust.

The policy introduces several incentives to bolster cybersecurity practices and support the ecosystem. Start- ups registered with the Karnataka Start-up Cell can receive reimbursement for cybersecurity audits and incident management, with benefits available to 100 start-ups annually. Additionally, the policy prioritises skill development and training for government staff, encouraging partnerships with cybersecurity training agencies and legal experts to cultivate a cybersecurity culture within government entities.

Public-private partnerships are another policy cornerstone, fostering stakeholder collaboration to enhance the state’s cybersecurity framework. By establishing ties with institutions like CERT-In, NCIIPC, and academia, the policy aims to strengthen information security practices and disseminate best practices in cybersecurity.

In a nutshell, Karnataka’s Cybersecurity Policy is a visionary framework that seeks to secure the state’s digital infrastructure, promote a culture of cybersecurity, and stimulate innovation and collaboration in the sector. By addressing the dynamic cybersecurity landscape and offering targeted incentives, the policy endeavours to make Karnataka a leader in cybersecurity, ensuring a secure digital environment for all its stakeholders.

Also Read | Karnataka Spearheading India’s AI Revolution

Road Ahead
Karnataka’s proactive approach through policies like IT, Data Center, Engineering R&D, and Cybersecurity underscores its commitment to innovation and security. These frameworks bolster Karnataka’s IT ecosystem and pave the way for sustainable growth and global competitiveness. By nurturing innovation hubs, expanding digital infrastructure, attracting global investments, and fortifying cybersecurity measures, Karnataka is poised to lead India’s digital transformation. As these policies unfold, Karnataka will emerge as a leader of technological advancement and resilience in the digital age, ensuring a robust foundation for future economic and technological prosperity.

Insights shared by Champa .E, General Manager, IT, Department of Electronics Information Technology Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka

Be a part of Elets Collaborative Initiatives. Join Us for Upcoming Events and explore business opportunities. Like us on Facebook , connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter, Instagram.

"Exciting news! Elets technomedia is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest insights!" Click here!