A Defining Stage for India’s Tech Future
Semicon India 2025 opened on Tuesday at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, positioning itself as a turning point in India’s ambition to become a central hub in the global semiconductor value chain. The three-day conference has convened more than 20,000 participants from over 40 countries, including chief executives of leading chipmakers, policy experts, entrepreneurs, and students.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurating the summit, described it as a “landmark moment,” emphasizing that the world’s trust in India has never been higher. “The presence of global industry leaders and Indian innovators shows that the world is ready to build the semiconductor future with India,” he said, welcoming foreign delegates and Indian start-ups alike.
India’s Economic Momentum
PM Modi linked the gathering to India’s broader economic trajectory. He underlined that the country posted a 7.8% GDP growth rate in the April–June quarter, outperforming many major economies struggling with stagnation. Growth across manufacturing, agriculture, services, and construction, he argued, is evidence of India’s rising confidence and its approach to becoming the world’s third-largest economy.
Making a powerful comparison, he said: “Oil was black gold, but chips are digital diamonds. If oil determined the destiny of the 20th century, semiconductors will shape the 21st.” With the global semiconductor industry valued at $600 billion and projected to surpass $1 trillion soon, Modi asserted India’s resolve to secure a meaningful share of that market.
Progress Since 2021
The Prime Minister spotlighted achievements under the Semicon India programme launched in 2021. In just four years, the initiative has attracted more than $18 billion across ten semiconductor projects. Approvals for multiple fabs and assembly units are underway, while companies like CG Power, Kaynes, Micron, and Tata have begun pilot projects.
Acknowledging India’s relatively late entry into the sector, he stressed that determination would compensate for lost time: “The day is not far when India’s smallest chip will fuel the world’s biggest transformation.”
Building a Full-Stack Ecosystem
Unlike earlier efforts that focused primarily on back-end services, the current mission seeks to develop a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem—from design to manufacturing, packaging, and advanced research.
The Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme is being overhauled to encourage start-ups and small enterprises. Meanwhile, the recently launched National Research Fund will support indigenous intellectual property creation in chip technologies. States have been encouraged to compete constructively in creating semiconductor hubs with world-class infrastructure.
On regulatory efficiency, Modi highlighted that the government has shortened approval timelines through the National Single Window System, ensuring that projects move from “file to factory” with speed. New semiconductor parks with plug-and-play facilities, Production Linked Incentives (PLI), and dedicated design grants are also in place to lower entry barriers for investors.
Empowering Talent and Start-Ups
Addressing young innovators, the Prime Minister underscored India’s strength in human capital. With 20% of the global semiconductor design workforce based in India, he urged students and entrepreneurs to seize opportunities through initiatives such as the Chips-to-Startup programme. “The government stands shoulder to shoulder with you,” he said, encouraging start-ups to think globally.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw added to the momentum by presenting the Prime Minister with India’s first indigenously developed 32-bit processor chip, symbolizing tangible progress. He noted that five semiconductor units are currently under construction, while one pilot line is already complete. “This is the time for you to be in India,” Vaishnaw told global investors, highlighting the surging demand for electronics in the country.
A Platform for Collaboration
The conference, themed “Building a Robust, Resilient and Sustainable Semiconductor Ecosystem,” will run until September 4. It includes sessions on fabrication technologies, advanced packaging, research and development, artificial intelligence, workforce development, and state-level initiatives. Country-specific roundtables and start-up showcases will offer additional opportunities for international collaboration.
A New Industrial Era for India
Semicon India 2025 demonstrates that India is no longer on the sidelines of the global semiconductor race. With billions in investments, government-backed incentives, and a deep pool of skilled engineers, the country is transitioning from a market for consumption to a hub for innovation and production.
Yet challenges remain: competition from established players, the high capital intensity of the industry, and the need to secure supply chains. Success will depend not only on policy but also on execution—ensuring that approvals translate into functioning fabs, that infrastructure keeps pace with ambition, and that India’s start-ups grow into global technology leaders.
If the momentum is sustained, India could soon be recognized not only as the “back office” of the digital world but as the workshop of its silicon heart. The vision articulated in New Delhi is bold: to make chips designed in India, manufactured in India, and trusted by the world.
(With inputs from agencies)
