The Government of India has approved the Semicon India Programme with a Rs 76,000 crore outlay to establish a robust semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem. This initiative provides 50% fiscal support for setting up semiconductor and display fabrication units, as well as semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging facilities. Additionally, a Product Design Linked Incentive and a Deployment Linked Incentive aim to encourage chip design innovation in the country.

Under this initiative, five semiconductor manufacturing projects have been approved, comprising one fabrication facility and four assembly and testing plants, with a combined investment of approximately Rs 1,52,000 crore. These projects are currently in various stages of implementation and are expected to be completed within four to six years. To further solidify India’s position in global semiconductor manufacturing, the government has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the USA, European Union, Japan, and Singapore.

Recognizing the need for highly specialized talent, the government has launched several initiatives to develop a skilled semiconductor workforce. The AICTE has introduced new academic programs in VLSI design and integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing, while the Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme aims to train 85,000 industry-ready professionals. More than 43,000 students have already been onboarded under this initiative. Additionally, the SMART Lab in NIELIT Calicut, established in 2022, has trained over 42,000 engineers in VLSI and embedded system design.

India is also fostering international partnerships to enhance skill development in the semiconductor sector. The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) has signed MoUs with IISc and Lam Research to train 60,000 engineers over the next decade. Collaborations with IBM and Purdue University will provide students and professionals with access to research labs, fellowships, and skill development programs, strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

With a strong focus on research and development, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is supporting projects in areas such as nanotechnology, semiconductor materials, chip design, and semiconductor IP cores. By fostering R&D and innovation, India aims to establish itself as a global leader in semiconductor design and manufacturing.