India Launches Semicon 2.0 to Build Complete Semiconductor Ecosystem
Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled the implementation approach for Semicon 2.0 during SEMICON India 2026, outlining the government's strategy to develop a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem in India. While Semicon 1.0 focused on laying the foundation, Semicon 2.0 aims to scale capabilities across the entire semiconductor value chain with six strategic pillars.
Investment and Employment Projections
The initiative has already received investment commitments of approximately ₹1 lakh crore (USD 11-12 billion), which are expected to materialize over the next two to three years as companies secure required board and shareholder approvals. These investments are projected to create close to 1 lakh new employment opportunities across the semiconductor ecosystem.
Six-Pillar Strategy for Ecosystem Development
The comprehensive approach includes: (1) Scaling the design ecosystem by supporting 200 semiconductor design startups, with 20 of the 105 startups from the first phase already securing Venture Capital funding; (2) Strengthening semiconductor manufacturing equipment, machines, and materials capabilities; (3) Expanding fabrication capabilities across display, memory, silicon, compound, and logic fabs; (4) Developing advanced semiconductor packaging capabilities; (5) Promoting applied R&D involving industry, government, and academia; and (6) Expanding India's semiconductor talent base through curriculum upgrades at 400 universities and training 1 lakh technicians over five years through partnerships with international institutions like ITRI, Taiwan.
Strategic Partnerships and MoUs
As part of SEMICON India 2026, 11 MoU exchanges and announcements were made covering various aspects of the semiconductor value chain. Key agreements include: Suchi Semicon Pvt Ltd and eInfochips Pvt Ltd exchanging the first batch of commercial devices; Tata Electronics entering multiple MoUs with Nexperia B.V. for semiconductor wafer manufacturing and technology collaboration, with Ascendas First Space for developing a 363-acre vendor park in Dholera, Gujarat, with Fujifilm Corporation for localization of critical semiconductor materials, with JSR Corporation for supply of photoresists and advanced chemicals, with BESI Singapore Pte. Ltd. for advanced packaging capabilities, with Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) for design services and process technology, and with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya for talent development. Additional agreements include Kaynes Semicon partnerships with OptoML India and GridCrest Technologies, Intel India's collaboration with India Semiconductor Mission for an 'Introduction to Semiconductors' course, and the announcement of six ChipIN Regional Centres for democratizing semiconductor design access.
Event Scale and International Participation
SEMICON India 2026, running until September 19th at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, features more than 600 participating companies and is expected to attract around 50,000 visitors from 52 countries. The event includes more than 400 executives, over 150 speakers, six Country Pavilions (Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden), 12 State booths, a Startup Pavilion, Innovation Showcase, Student Hackathon, and Workforce Development Pavilion.