India is positioning itself as a major semiconductor manufacturing center, thanks to increasing collaborations with like-minded countries in response to the current geopolitical landscape, according to a senior official from the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
In an interview with PTI, S Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, highlighted that pilot facilities from US semiconductor giant Micron and Tata Electronics have begun producing chips, with their primary manufacturing plants in Gujarat set to commence operations in late 2025.
Krishnan emphasized that the global focus on semiconductor resilience has intensified due to the pandemic, which exposed vulnerabilities in the supply chain across various industries, including automotive, medical devices, and consumer electronics. This has led to a push for greater diversification in semiconductor sourcing.
“To enhance resilience, many countries are partnering with us to establish it as a key semiconductor manufacturing hub. This collaboration aims to strengthen the global semiconductor supply chain. Agreements have been made with the United States, European Union, UK, Japan, and Singapore,” Krishnan noted.
The Indian government has approved investments totaling Rs 1.5 lakh crore for semiconductor projects, excluding the recent Rs 83,000 crore investment by Adani Group and Tower Semiconductor in Maharashtra.
Krishnan reported that five projects under the Semiconductor Mission have received clearance. Micron’s main plant in Gujarat and Tata Electronics’ pilot facility in Karnataka are progressing, with the first chips expected from these facilities in the latter half of 2025.
Interest in the semiconductor ecosystem is growing, with a significant increase in participation for the upcoming Semicon India event. The conference will feature over 650 booths and more than 250 semiconductor companies.
“India’s hosting of Semicon India has seen four times the number of registrations compared to previous global conferences,” Krishnan added. The potential for India to emerge as a leading semiconductor manufacturer is attracting global attention, with companies recognizing India’s talent pool, manufacturing capabilities, and expanding market opportunities. “Companies see India as a key player due to its skilled workforce, technological expertise, and substantial market potential for semiconductor products,” Krishnan concluded.
