Challakere in Chitradurga, known as the 'oil city of Karnataka,' has economy historically dependent on coarse wool blankets (kamblis), sheep rearing and agriculture. IISc established its second campus in Challakere in 2010.

Science and Engineering for Economic Development (SEED), an IISc initiative, has worked with local population for three years to develop best practices in agriculture and wool weaving. 40-45% of Challakere population from Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities; large part is nomadic and rear sheep.

Weaving declined significantly: In 2009 government took 13,000 acres of grasslands for Science City, restricting villagers' access to water and grazing land. Indian army was major buyer at ₹1,500 per blanket for tent ground insulation, but post-2019 refused to renew contract citing quality issues versus cheaper factory alternatives.

Sheep reared in Challakere are Deccani breed producing coarse wool; India rears 7 million sheep yearly with 65-70% for meat and wool as side product. Wool lacks uniform length, making fine quality difficult.

SEED created mobile processing centre with electronic shearing and implements for wool processing. Research focuses on improving wool quality through chemical/mechanical methods, wool sorting, and developing materials from wool stubble waste. Sheep wool contains 85% keratin similar to human hair, potentially usable for hair quality improvement.

Karnataka has earmarked ₹18 crore from District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds for a regional science centre at IISc’s Challakere campus in Chitradurga. The project was delayed for several months while a site was finalised; IISc has now agreed to provide land, allowing construction preparations to accelerate.

Planned facilities include interactive exhibits, hands-on science models and toys, practical workshops for students, and science education and awareness programmes. The centre is intended to have national-level facilities.

Karnataka’s existing regional science centres are at Pilikula near Mangaluru and Dharwad. Sub-regional centres operate in Ballari, Davanagere, Karwar, Bidar, Bagalkot, Tumakuru, Raichur, Koppal and Haveri. The Chitradurga centre will be the first regional science centre in central Karnataka.

IISc’s Challakere campus has an observatory and solar-energy research facilities. The centre may enable programmes, student training and public exhibitions with IISc, DRDO and BARC. More than 23,000 teachers have received scientific training at the campus. Its central location is expected to serve students from northern, southern, coastal and Kalyana Karnataka regions.