Paper: GS – III, Subject: Science and Technology, Topic: Broad/Overlap, Issue: India’s strategy for Chip self-reliance.
Context:
The Union Minister for Electronics & IT discusses India’s semiconductor journey, opportunities, and policies to build a competitive hub.
Key Highlights:
Importance of Semiconductors:
- Significance: “hidden engines” inside almost every modern devices such as smartphones, cars, trains, planes, TVs, medical equipment, defence systems, satellites, AI.
- Indispensable: Without chips, there can be no digital economy, communication, transportation, or security.
- Fragile supply chain: Pandemic showed fragility of global supply chains and highlighted India’s need for self-reliance.
India’s Semiconductor Push:
Policy Support: India launched Semiconductor Mission focussing on clear long-term vision, professional execution, global cooperation and strong support from states.
Recent Progress:
- Four semiconductor plants approved.
- First “Made in India” chip expected this year.
- Construction of plants progressing at fast pace (Sanand, Gujarat).
- Within a year, India to start volume production.
Global & Strategic Significance:
- Chips at heart of geopolitics:
- Few regions dominate chip production (Taiwan, South Korea, US).
- Even small disruptions can cause ripple effects on global economy.
- For India: becoming a semiconductor hub as more than an industry it is also a national security & sovereignty issue.
India’s Strengths:
Human Capital:
- India has 20% of world’s semiconductor design engineers.
- India has strong talent base in chip design, validation, and software.
- For example, India has 350 institutions and Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools which are currently available.
Talent Development Initiatives:
- Target: 85,000 engineers trained in semiconductor design.
- Programs launched with Applied Materials, AMD, Micron, etc.
- India is preparing to fill global shortage of 1 million semiconductor professionals by 2030.
Global Collaboration:
- Partnerships: Partnerships with US, Japan, EU, Singapore for R&D and future-ready talent.
- Collaboration: Companies like Applied Materials, Merck, AMD, Micron investing in India.
- Technological cooperation: International cooperation ensures India is part of global semiconductor value chain.
Challenges:
- Future Outlook: India aims to become semiconductor hub by 2030s. It envisions end-to-end ecosystem (design and manufacturing), reduce import dependence and build resilient supply chains.
- India Semiconductor Summit 2025: showcased roadmap for chips, memory, and components.
Conclusion:
India is at the cusp of a semiconductor revolution. With policy push, global collaborations, and strong human capital, Bharat can emerge as a leading player in global chip value chain.
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