PM pitches India as a global destination for chipmaking, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Semicon India 2026, positioning India as a global destination for electronics manufacturing.
• The second phase of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was notified with an outlay of ₹1.27 lakh crore.
• The government aims to train one lakh people and support 200 startups in chip design under ISM 2.0.
• Applied Materials committed to invest $5 billion over five years in India for R&D and supply chain expansion.
• Micron commenced commercial production in Sanand, with its current capacity exceeding India’s entire laptop memory requirement.

Detailed Insights:

• PM Modi emphasized India as a "trustworthy location" to counter the "weaponisation" of global supply chains.
• India is actively developing a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem, encompassing chip design, manufacturing, equipment, materials, and testing capabilities.
• ISM 2.0 is designed to double the support for startups in chip design compared to its initial phase.
• The government plans to train over one lakh technicians for various electronics manufacturing roles within the next five years.
• The global semiconductor industry is projected to grow from $1.3 trillion this year to $2 trillion by 2030.
• Infineon's CEO highlighted India's rapid progress in the ecosystem and noted a 28% increase in their hiring in the country.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Semiconductor: A material with electrical conductivity between a conductor and an insulator, fundamental to modern electronic devices.
• Supply Chain Weaponisation: The strategic use of control over global supply chains to exert geopolitical influence or economic pressure.
• India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): A government initiative aimed at fostering a robust semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India.
• Electronics Manufacturing: The process of designing, producing, and assembling electronic components and systems.