India’s chip ambitions are set to soar in the coming years, according to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. In an interview, he highlighted the country’s potential to become one of the top five semiconductor ecosystems globally within the next five years. This growth will be driven by investments from major international companies looking to establish fabrication units and other facilities in India.
Vaishnaw outlined ambitious plans for the semiconductor industry in India, including the expected establishment of several fabs, compound semiconductor fabs, display fabs, and ATMP units in the next five years. He emphasized the importance of developing the entire semiconductor value chain in India to position the country as a key player in the industry.
The minister revealed that the government would launch India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 in the coming months to further advance the semiconductor program. He acknowledged the need for additional funding to support these initiatives, which aim to strengthen India’s position in the global semiconductor market.
Recent approvals by the Union cabinet for three chip sector projects totaling ₹1.26 trillion signal a significant step towards bolstering India’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. Notably, projects led by the Tata group and other international partners aim to establish semiconductor fabs and ATMP units in various regions of India.
Vaishnaw highlighted the government’s commitment to a 20-year roadmap for the semiconductor industry, focusing on developing a robust ecosystem in India. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a quick approval process for new projects, citing the positive response from global semiconductor companies following the expedited approval of Micron’s plans.
In addition to advancements in the semiconductor sector, the Indian government recently approved the India AI Mission, which includes initiatives to enhance AI compute infrastructure and support AI startups. With a focus on user safety and trust, the government plans to introduce a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI.
Vaishnaw expressed optimism about the future of India’s telecom technology sector, citing recent innovations and developments that position the country as a potential exporter of telecom technology. He also highlighted the government’s upcoming spectrum auctions and the expected participation of telecom players, which are crucial for improving service quality and supporting the rollout of 5G services.
Overall, India’s semiconductor and technology sectors are poised for significant growth and innovation in the coming years, driven by strategic investments, government initiatives, and industry collaborations.
