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India's Role in Semiconductor Boom

Published on: 23-Sep-2026

Source: Indian Express

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India's Role in Semiconductor Boom

Article Summary

1. Semiconductor Landscape in India:

  • The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) facilitates India’s growth in semiconductor manufacturing, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
  • SEMICON India conference attended by nearly 600 companies from 52 countries.
  • There is a global semiconductor "supercycle" fueled by rising demand from AI, data centers, robotics, and autonomous vehicles.

2. Economic Indicators and Investments:

  • Major technology companies (Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta) projected to spend $635 billion on AI infrastructure by 2026.
  • Companies are shifting toward B2B sales with long-term take-or-pay agreements securing chip demands.

3. Key Technologies and Market Trends:

  • Data centers are driving chip demand; AI chips (Graphics Processing Units) required for extensive calculations.
  • High-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips facilitate rapid data movement, with only three manufacturers currently in the market (SK Hynix, Samsung, Micron).
  • Micron estimates threefold manufacturing capacity needed for HBM compared to standard memory.

4. India's Position and Government Schemes:

  • ISM 1.0 approved 12 semiconductor projects; moves towards assembly, testing, packaging rather than large-scale wafer production.
  • Projects include Micron’s facility in Gujarat and Sahasra Semiconductors for NAND flash storage.
  • Effects of global chip demand are impacting Indian market supply and prices.
  • ISM 2.0 aims to enhance connectivity in AI systems with financial support for capital expenditures and R&D in chiplet technologies.

5. Technological Development and Chip Design:

  • Pursuit of chip design is critical; nearly 20% of the global chip workforce is based in India.
  • Incentive schemes encourage innovation in chip designs, with startups like Netrasemi developing edge-AI processors.

6. Future Recommendations:

  • NITI Aayog's semiconductor roadmap advocates for pilot lines for chiplets and HBM-class integration projecting efficiency and cost reductions in semiconductor manufacturing.

7. International Relationships:

  • Collaborative ventures like Nvidia's stake in CoreWeave illustrate connected supply chains in the AI chip market.

8. Legal and Regulatory Framework:

  • The semiconductor initiatives align with constitutional guidelines ensuring technological advancement and economic growth as per the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) under Article 39(e) and 39(f).

This summary highlights significant facts, figures, and developments related to India's semiconductor sector, ensuring clarity and objectivity for exam-oriented studies.

Key Terms & Concepts

SEMICON IndiaFlagship conference for semiconductors
India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)Government initiative for semiconductor growth
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)Government department overseeing ISM
AIKey driver of semiconductor demand
Data CentresFacilities boosting chip demand
Graphics Processing Units (GPUs)Specialised chips used in AI
High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM)Advanced memory technology
MicronProducer of semiconductor technologies
$635 billionProjected AI infrastructure spending by 2026
ISM 1.0Initial semiconductor project phase
Sahasra SemiconductorsNAND flash packaging provider
NITI AayogAdvisory body for semiconductor roadmap

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India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) Overview

  • Event: SEMICON India Conference, attended by nearly 600 companies from 52 countries.
  • Organizer: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
  • Inauguration: By Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Chiplet TechnologiesFocus area for R&D support
Design-Linked Incentive SchemeScheme to enhance chip design capability
C2iFabless company acquired by Infineon
  • Significance: Highlights India's growing semiconductor ecosystem amid global demand driven by AI technology.
  • Current Semiconductor Landscape

    • Supercycle: Term used to describe prolonged investment and growth in semiconductor demand, comparable to past tech booms in computing and smartphones.
    • Demand Drivers: Major data centers and AI technologies are increasing demand for specialized chips.
      • AI Chips & GPU Use: Crucial for AI model training; capable of handling multiple calculations simultaneously.
      • High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM): Essential for rapid data transfer, allowing construction of advanced memory stacks.

    Market Dynamics & Projections

    • Market Concentration: HBM market dominated by SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron with high production requirements.
    • Investment Projection: Major tech companies (Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta) are expected to spend approximately $635 billion on AI infrastructure by 2026.
    • Production Agreements: Memory manufacturers are engaging in long-term contracts (take-or-pay agreements), alleviating production volatility.

    India's Position in Semiconductor Production

    • ISM 1.0 Initiatives: Approval of 12 semiconductor projects, primarily in assembly, testing, and packaging.
    • Lack of Wafer Fabrication Plants: India is yet to establish a large-scale chip production facility, primarily relying on imports.
    • Projects Initiated:
      • Micron's facility in Gujarat for specialized wafer processing.
      • Sahasra Semiconductors for NAND flash packaging.

    Economic Impact of AI Demand

    • Impact on Supply: Increased demand for memory from AI applications is tightening supplies and affecting prices.
    • Capital Market Trends: Interest divergence towards semiconductor-centric markets in Taiwan and South Korea.

    Future Plans & Government Schemes

    • ISM 2.0 Goals: Enhance existing facilities and support manufacturing stages through:
      • Financial backing for packaging schemes.
      • R&D support for chiplet technologies.
    • NITI Aayog's Roadmap: Promotes pilot lines for chiplets and HBM-class integration, combining advanced processors with memory.
    • Chip Design Focus: Approximately 20% of the global chip workforce is in India, with efforts on developing innovative AI edge-processors (e.g., Netrasemi's initiative).

    International Collaborations & Investments

    • Strategic Acquisitions: Germany's Infineon acquiring Bangalore-based fabless company C2i to enhance AI power control solutions.
    • Emerging Value Chains: Development of specialized AI processors that lower latency by processing data on devices instead of relying on cloud computing.

    Conclusion

    The growth of India's semiconductor ecosystem amid increasing AI-driven chip demand presents opportunities and challenges. The ISM initiatives, coupled with government support and private investments, aim to bolster India's position in the global semiconductor market, essential for meeting the needs of emerging technologies.

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    • Technological Advancements:

      • The latest version includes upgrades based on experiences from the successful operation of KAVACH 3.2 over 1,465 kilometers.
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    • Automatic Train Protection (ATP):

      • KAVACH 4.0 is now being utilized as an ATP system, designed to assist locomotive pilots in maintaining speed limits and automatically applying brakes if necessary.

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      • Implementation of locomotive KAVACH on operational engines.

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