Bengaluru May 29, 2026 — The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Karnataka has officially announced its strategic roadmap for 2026–27, focusing on accelerating the state’s industrial competitiveness on a global scale.
The announcement introduces the newly elected leadership for the CII Karnataka State Council: Mr. Guruprasad Mudlapur (President of Bosch Group India and Managing Director of Bosch Limited) as Chairman, and Mr. Sam Cherian (Managing Director of Schevaran Laboratories Pvt Ltd) as Vice Chairman.
Operating under the central theme, “Accelerating Karnataka’s Competitiveness: Growth, Resilience, Inclusion, Sustainability and Trust,” the council has outlined five core pillars to anchor its upcoming initiatives. The roadmap places a sharp emphasis on:
- Strengthening policy advocacy and the Ease of Doing Business.
- Promoting inclusive, balanced growth outside the state’s capital.
- Enhancing ecosystem competitiveness by preparing industries for the future.
Strategic Priorities: Digital Transformation and Sustainability
To build a resilient industrial ecosystem, CII Karnataka will actively support MSMEs, family businesses, and supply chains. Key focus areas include accelerating AI transformation, decarbonization, energy transition, and water stewardship. Additionally, the council will drive growth and market expansion through learning and development, strategic collaborations, and internationalization initiatives.
A primary vehicle for this transformation will be the services of CII’s Centres of Excellence. These centers will deploy cluster models to train and upskill industries in digital adoption, sustainable practices, and global integration, ensuring that smaller enterprises can compete effectively on a global stage.
A major highlight of the 2026–27 agenda is the reinforcement of the “Beyond Bengaluru” initiative. Activating its zonal and district councils, CII Karnataka aims to channel industry investments, foster innovation, and develop infrastructure in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to ensure equitable economic distribution across the state.
Mr. Guruprasad Mudlapur, Chairman said that CII Karnataka is focused on advancing the state’s leadership in innovation, advanced manufacturing, and technology-led growth. Through policy advocacy and AI-led industrial transformation, we aim to equip our industries—especially MSMEs—to drive resilient and inclusive growth aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Mr. Sam Cherian, Vice Chairman added “ Karnataka has immense potential to drive regionally balanced development. Our priority is to accelerate the growth of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities by strengthening local ecosystems and empowering family businesses and MSMEs. Through stronger industry-government collaboration, we will help our members become future-ready enterprises.”
By bridging the gap between government, industry, and academia, CII Karnataka’s 2026–27 roadmap charts a progressive path toward a sustainable, digitally advanced, and socio-economically inclusive industrial future.
