India's Semiconductor Ambitions on the Global Stage

India is swiftly carving out a significant niche in the global semiconductor industry, with ambitions to expand its domestic market from $38 billion in 2023 to between $100 and $110 billion by 2030. This growth is part of a broader vision to capture a substantial portion of the global semiconductor market, expected to reach $1 trillion by the end of the decade.

Strategic Investments and Infrastructure Development

Recent years have seen a surge in investments aimed at bolstering India's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. Notable commitments include Micron Technology's Rs 22,516 crore investment in Gujarat and Tata Electronics' partnership with Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation for a Rs 91,000 crore wafer fabrication plant. These initiatives underscore India's transition from policy to production in the semiconductor domain.

Pillars of Growth: Equipment, Materials, and Services

India's strategy encompasses three critical areas of the semiconductor supply chain: equipment, materials, and services. Leveraging its MSME ecosystem, chemical reserves, and skilled talent pool, India is well-positioned to support the global semiconductor industry's raw material and innovation needs.

Government Initiatives and Global Collaboration

The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), launched with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore, aims to incentivize semiconductor fabrication, display manufacturing, and design infrastructure. Collaborations like the SEMICON India Programme and the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) further India's integration into the global electronics value chain.

Implications for India's Digital and Security Landscape

Semiconductors are pivotal to modern electronics, and India's push into this sector promises to enhance its digital economy, national security, and technological self-reliance. The successful use of Indian-built chips in the Chandrayaan-3 mission exemplifies the potential of homegrown semiconductor applications in critical sectors.