The semiconductor industry, often dubbed the backbone of modern technology, took center stage at SEMICON India 2024 in Greater Noida, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated on September 11.
A vision for semiconductor supremacy
Prime Minister Modi underscored India’s strategic vision for the semiconductor sector. “When the chips are down globally, you can bet on India,” he declared, emphasizing India’s readiness to lead in semiconductor technology.
The event, themed “Shaping the Semiconductor Future,” showcased India’s policy framework and its commitment to fostering a robust semiconductor ecosystem.
Investment and growth
The Indian government has committed over ₹1.5 lakh crore towards semiconductor investments to integrate Indian-made chips into every electronic device worldwide. This is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the supply chain resilience and to reduce dependency on foreign semiconductor supplies.
The Prime Minister highlighted the creation of a skilled workforce, targeting 85,000 technicians, engineers, and R&D experts, signaling a comprehensive approach to industry growth.
Global participation
The presence of over 250 exhibitors and 150 speakers from around the globe at SEMICON India 2024 reflected the international community’s recognition of India’s potential.
Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO of Micron, praised India’s policies, suggesting that with the rise of AI, India’s semiconductor development is perfectly timed.
Future prospects
The government’s forthcoming Semicon 2.0 policy, expected within the next few months, aims to expand the semiconductor ecosystem further.
The policy is anticipated to attract more investments and foster an entire chip manufacturing cycle in India, from design to production.