India has marked a significant milestone in its semiconductor journey by launching its first fully indigenous semiconductor chip, the Vikram 32-bit processor. This breakthrough, unveiled at Semicon India 2025, showcases the country's growing capabilities in the high-tech sector and underscores the progress of the India Semiconductor Mission.

Indigenous Innovation Takes Flight

The Vikram 32-bit processor, developed at ISRO's Semi-Conductor Laboratory, is designed for launch vehicle applications. This achievement comes three years after the launch of the India Semiconductor Mission, which was initiated with a substantial funding of ₹76,000 crore.

Semiconductor Program Gains Momentum

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the semiconductor program has attracted $18 billion in investments across 10 approved projects since 2021. Highlighting recent progress, Modi revealed that CG Power's pilot plant in Sanand has commenced operations, with Kaynes' facility set to follow suit shortly. Commercial production is anticipated to begin later this year, marking a crucial step in India's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.

Major Projects Underway

Several significant projects are driving India's semiconductor ambitions:

1. Tata Electronics' Wafer Fab: A ₹91,000 crore facility in Dholera, Gujarat, in collaboration with Taiwan's PSMC. The plant aims to produce 28-nm chips with a capacity of 50,000 wafer starts monthly.

2. Micron's Assembly Facility: Located in Sanand, this facility is expected to begin operations in early 2025, further bolstering India's semiconductor ecosystem.

3. HCL and Foxconn Collaboration: The tech giants are developing a display-driver chip plant in Jewar, with production slated to commence in 2027.

Building a Skilled Workforce

To support this burgeoning industry, the government has set an ambitious target of training 85,000 professionals by 2030. This initiative aims to create a robust talent pool to drive innovation and production in the semiconductor sector.

Global Impact

Industry projections suggest that India could meet 8-10% of global semiconductor demand, potentially worth $40 billion. This positions India as an emerging player in the global semiconductor market, with the potential to significantly impact the industry landscape.

Looking Ahead

As India's semiconductor mission gains momentum, the country is poised to become a key player in the global semiconductor supply chain. The successful development of the Vikram 32-bit processor and the rapid progress in setting up manufacturing facilities demonstrate India's commitment to technological self-reliance and its potential to contribute significantly to the global semiconductor industry.

The India Semiconductor Mission represents a critical step towards reducing dependency on imports and fostering a robust domestic ecosystem for chip design, manufacturing, and innovation. As these initiatives continue to unfold, they are expected to create numerous opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement in the country.

India's ambitious push into the semiconductor industry has gained significant momentum, with the 'India Semiconductor Mission' attracting substantial investments across multiple states. Amitabh Kant, a key figure in the initiative, revealed that the mission has successfully drawn in a total investment of Rs 1.6 lakh crore, spread across 10 units in six states.

Gujarat Leads the Charge

Gujarat has emerged as the frontrunner in this semiconductor revolution, securing the lion's share of investments:

• A mammoth Rs 91,526 crore project in collaboration with Taiwan's PSMC

  • Capacity: 50,000 wafer starts per month
  • Job creation: Approximately 20,000

• Micron semiconductor technology investment of Rs 22,516 crore

  • Focus: Graphics cards and gaming

• CG Power's investment of Rs 7,584 crore for assembly and testing operations

• Kaynes Semicon's project with an investment of Rs 3,307 crore

Assam's Significant Contribution

Assam has also made a substantial mark in the semiconductor landscape:

• Rs 27,120 crore investment for a semiconductor assembly and test project
  • Capacity: 15,600 million units per year
  • Expected job creation: 26,000

Other State Investments

The semiconductor mission's reach extends to other states as well:

• Uttar Pradesh: Rs 3,706 crore investment

  • Project: India Chip's advanced packaging facility
  • A joint venture between HCL Technologies and Foxconn
  • Capacity: 432 million units per year

• Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Punjab have also secured semiconductor project investments

Wide-Ranging Applications

These semiconductor projects are set to cater to a diverse range of applications, including:

• Wi-Fi
• Networking
• Automotive
• Electric vehicles
• Telecom
• Mobile phones
• Consumer technology

The 'India Semiconductor Mission' represents a significant step towards establishing India as a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing and testing. With investments spread across multiple states and covering various aspects of the semiconductor value chain, the initiative promises to boost India's technological capabilities and create substantial employment opportunities in the sector.

As these projects come to fruition, they are expected to significantly reduce India's dependence on semiconductor imports and position the country as a key player in the global semiconductor supply chain.