CIOInsider India Magazine

India's semiconductor journey is gaining traction, as CG Semi has announced that the first Made-in-India chip will be completed by the year's end following the Cabinet's approval of four new semiconductor initiatives. The nation aims to secure 8-10 percent of the trillion-dollar global chip market by 2030. Nevertheless, India faces considerable challenges in improving its fabrication capabilities, with only one mega fab currently under construction, in contrast to China's 44 and the US's 15.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Semicon India - 2025’ initiative, designed to stimulate India’s Semiconductor ecosystem, at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi. While addressing the audience, the PM recognized the presence of semiconductor industry CEOs and their associates from both India and abroad. He extended a warm welcome to distinguished guests from various countries, entrepreneurs linked to start-ups, and young students who had traveled from different states across the country.

At Semicon India 2025, Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that India's semiconductor endeavors are advancing with "speed and scale," highlighting 13 significant announcements made at Semicon India 2025. He noted that these new partnerships and product launches constitute another pivotal advancement in Bharat’s semiconductor journey, fostering global trust, domestic innovation, and a strong talent pool in India. The future of chip technology is being shaped in India.

Developments at At Semicon India 2025
At Semicon India 2025, Tata Electronics and Merck entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), whereby Merck will provide support to Tata’s Fab located in Dholera, Gujarat, through materials, infrastructure, and supply chain solutions. The initiative emphasizes safety, talent development, standards, and self-reliance.

Tata Electronics also forged another MoU with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to enhance India's design and Intellectual Property (IP) ecosystem. This agreement intends to aid startups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and academic institutions under the ChipIN, DLI Scheme, and Chips-to-Startup initiative.

Kaynes Semicon has engaged in multiple technological collaborations with SPARSH-IQ Solutions, 3rdiTech, Focally, and SenseSemi Technologies to create India’s first fully indigenous automotive and industrial AI vision solution. These partnerships aim to bring together leaders in deep tech to design, develop, and validate camera modules entirely within India. The resulting project will be constructed from start to finish in India, aiming to reduce dependence on imports while increasing domestic intellectual property.

Kaynes Semicon also introduced the first "Made in India" Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems Microphone for wireless earbuds and wearables in partnership with Infineon. Additionally, the two companies will package Infineon’s power wafers in India, thereby benefiting the nation’s renewable energy, industrial, and consumer electronics sectors.

L&T Semicon has partnered with IIT Gandhinagar and C-DAC for the development of a Make-in-India Secure Chip equipped with a Smart Operating System. This chip is aimed at powering the next generation of digital identity solutions, including e-passports, national IDs, and cryptographic products.

Also Read: The Quantum Computing Age is Upon US Sooner than Expected

A woman-led domestic startup from Gujarat, Indiesemic, has unveiled the IoT Evolution Board powered by the indigenous VEGA processor from C-DAC. The board's applications will cover smart cities, industrial automation, health technology, defense, and drones within India.

NIELIT has signed an MoU with the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association to enhance semiconductor skills and strengthen industry-academia connections in India. Through this collaboration, they plan to organize joint lectures, hackathons, training programs, and innovation challenges, promoting leadership, knowledge exchange, and entrepreneurship.

Innovation and Skill Development
In the realm of skill development, ISM has entered into an MoU with New Age Makers Institute of Technology (NAMTECH) to establish a talent pipeline for semiconductors. NAMTECH will create and implement specialized programs in semiconductor manufacturing, automation, and AI, providing pathways for industry placements.

ISM has entered into another Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Arizona State University, focusing on collaboration in semiconductor research, innovation, and capacity building. This agreement is designed to facilitate academic exchange and workforce development.

As part of the Design-Linked-Incentive scheme, C-DAC will offer design infrastructure support, which includes global IP cores, Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, and post-silicon validation services for companies that have been approved.

Additionally, an MoU has been established with Synopsys and IIT-M Pravartak, which will enable startups and MSMEs participating in the DLI Scheme to access Synopsys IPs through the ChipIN Centre. This initiative is expected to expedite the design process and reduce time-to-market.

Also Read: Gemini Ultra, Veo 3, Stitch and More Highlights from Google I/O 2025

PM’s Vision of a Self-sufficient and Technology-driven India
During Semicon India 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with prominent global CEOs from the semiconductor sector. The discussions highlighted the international confidence in India's rise as a reliable center for innovation and manufacturing. PM Modi emphasized India's transformative reform journey, which is rooted in the development of world-class infrastructure, the upskilling of talent, and the promotion of innovation to achieve the vision of a self-sufficient and technology-driven India.

Emphasizing the government's vision for a pivotal role of start-ups and MSMEs in the expansion of the semiconductor sector, the PM pointed out that India accounts for 20 percent of the global semiconductor design talent, and that the nation's youth constitute the largest reservoir of human capital for the semiconductor industry. In his address to young entrepreneurs, innovators, and start-ups, PM encouraged them to step forward, assuring them of the government's unwavering support.

Also Read: Karnataka to Become Quantum Capital of Asia Soon

He highlighted that the Design Linked Incentive Scheme and the Chips-to-Startup Program are tailored specifically for their benefit. Furthermore, he announced that the Design Linked Incentive Scheme is undergoing restructuring to more effectively achieve its goals. PM affirmed the government's dedication to fostering Indian intellectual property (IP) within this sector. He also mentioned that the newly established National Research Fund will bolster this initiative through strategic partnerships.

Acknowledging that numerous states are actively involved in the semiconductor mission, with many having developed specialized policies for the sector, PM remarked that these states are concentrating on creating dedicated infrastructure. He urged all states to engage in constructive competition with one another to cultivate semiconductor ecosystems and improve the investment climate in their respective regions.