Semiconductor business is the core of modern technology and it is the building block to run smartphones and laptops as well as automobiles and telecommunications systems industries. With the world trend of increasing semiconductor demand, India is strategizing to be a major exporter of semiconductors as the India’s semiconductor industry is set to be a key player in the global semiconductor ecosystem coupled with the ability to produce and possess world-class talent.

Ambitious Semiconductor Vision of India.

Recently, union minister of electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, described the Indian plan to become a semiconductor powerhouse:

• Leading four worldwide semiconductor manufacturing countries by 2032.
• International semiconductor manufacturer by 2035.

This big vision is supported with the help of significant government investments, strategic policy plans, and targeted investments in hardware production and development of talents.

By 2026, four semiconductor firms will start manufacturing in India, which will provide chips to top automobile and telecommunication firms. This is a major move towards the production of an autonomous semiconductor ecosystem; less reliance on imports.

Building Capability: Investment and Infrastructure.

The ambitions of India to become a semiconductor powerhouse are pegged on big investments in the Semicon India Programme and the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS). Key highlights include:

• 10 authorized manufacturing sites, 2 fabrication (fab) sites and 8 chip assembly, testing and packaging projects.
• Semiconductor approved projects are of 1.6 lakh crore investment.
• Consent to 22 new projects worth 41863 crore under ECMS.

Such investments will not only make sure that India not only develops the physical infrastructure to manufacture semiconductors but they also develop an ecosystem that is conducive to innovation and skill enhancement.

Talent: The Strength of Semiconductor in India.

The real strength of India is the human capital. This is unlike many countries where semiconductor learning is only offered in a few institutions but now India boasts of 298 universities actively working in chip design, prototyping and validation. Comparatively, in the world, there are only approximately 20 universities in the US, China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea that provide such programs.

This mass potential means that India is now churning out a pipeline of talented engineers and innovators that will be able to work in domestic manufacturing and also in global semiconductor manufacturing.

Trust: Investing in Startups and Innovation.

Other programs, such as the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme, are also being encouraged by the government where it assists startups in designing chips. Now, there is support of 24 design projects under this scheme with a total value of 920 crore.

India is now creating an entire semiconductor ecosystem, which would bridge the research and design to large scale manufacturing gaps.

Impact on Employment: Student and Professional Opportunities.

The opportunities of semiconductor push in India are enormous to the students, engineers and professionals:

• Master the latest competencies in chip design, semiconductor manufacturing, VLSI and embedded systems.
• Apply and develop projects in new startups in the semiconductor field in internship programs.
• Make the world smarter, create products that will run smart phones, EVs, 5G, AI, Quantum Computing and others.
• Diversify in career opportunities in the field of R&D, design, manufacturing, testing, and supply chain management.

As the Indian semiconductor industry grows by leaps and bounds, the appropriate skills that can be gained at the moment will establish a career in one of the most future-safe technologies.

Final Thoughts

The semiconductor leadership of India is a legend of strategic planning, financial commitment, and talent building. India could easily emerge as an international semiconductor hub by 2035 with commercial production beginning in 2026, government-supported efforts to encourage innovation, and graduating highly skilled engineers, especially in universities.

It is a once in a lifetime chance to be in a high growth, high impact industry when it comes to students, professionals and tech enthusiasts. It is now time to develop the skills, innovations, and play a role in the semiconductor revolution in India.