India's Semiconductor Industry
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Singapore is exploring new initiatives such as manufacturing of semiconductor ecosystem in India and participating in the creation of technological solutions, the president Tharman Shanmugaratnam said.
About
India's semiconductor industry is rapidly evolving, with significant government initiatives, private investments, and international collaborations driving its growth. This sector is considered critical to India's ambitions in technology, electronics, and digital infrastructure.
Current State of India's Semiconductor Industry
- Demand Drivers:
- Increasing demand for electronics: Smartphones, IoT devices, and automobiles.
- Growth in sectors like automotive electronics, telecommunications, and 5G deployment.
- Expansion of AI, data centers, and renewable energy technologies.
- Key Challenges:
- Limited semiconductor fabrication (fab) facilities.
- Dependence on imports for critical components.
- High capital investment and technical expertise required.
Major Initiatives and Developments
- Semiconductor Mission:
- Announced in December 2021, the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is a government-backed initiative aimed at establishing a sustainable semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
- Focus areas include:
- Setting up semiconductor fabs and display fabs.
- Promoting research and innovation in semiconductors.
- Building a skilled workforce.
- PLI Scheme:
- The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for semiconductors offers financial incentives to companies investing in chip manufacturing and design.
- The scheme allocates Rs.76,000 crore (approximately $10 billion) to boost domestic production.
- Chip Design Ecosystem:
- India is already a global hub for semiconductor design, with many multinational companies like Intel, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments operating design centers in the country.
- Startups like Saankhya Labs and Signalchip are contributing to indigenous design capabilities.
- Partnerships and Collaborations:
- Vedanta-Foxconn JV: Vedanta and Foxconn are collaborating to set up semiconductor and display fabs in Gujarat.
- Micron Technology: Announced a chip assembly and test facility in Gujarat with significant government support.
- Partnerships with global leaders like TSMC and STMicroelectronics for technology transfer and expertise.
- Research and Development:
- Institutions like IITs, IISc, and government labs are actively involved in semiconductor R&D.
Future Prospects
- Self-Reliance:
- Reducing dependence on imports and building indigenous semiconductor capabilities.
- Focus on producing chips for sectors like defense, space, and critical infrastructure.
- Economic Impact:
- Expected to generate significant employment and contribute to GDP growth.
- Potential to position India as a global semiconductor manufacturing hub.
- Global Semiconductor Supply Chain:
- India's efforts align with the global push to diversify semiconductor manufacturing away from traditional hubs like Taiwan and China.
India's semiconductor industry is at a transformative stage, with strong policy support, rising investments, and growing demand paving the way for a robust ecosystem.