Full Breakdown
India Positions Itself as a Trusted Semiconductor Hub at SEMICON India 2026
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Inauguration and Government Pitch
On September 17, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the fifth edition of SEMICON India 2026 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi. The three-day exhibition runs through September 19, 2026.
Background & Context
India’s semiconductor drive began with the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 1.0, which approved 12 chip-making projects. In 2022 the programme entered Phase 2 (ISM 2.0), expanding the budget to US$13.5 billion and adding support for chip design, talent development and research incentives. The expansion coincides with global supply-chain strain caused by geopolitical tensions and rising AI demand, prompting many governments to diversify production.
Data & Statistics
- 12 semiconductor projects approved under Phase 1, with 3 units (Micron, Kaynes Semicon, CG Semi) already in commercial production.
- US$13.5 billion outlay for ISM 2.0.
- 600+ exhibitors, including ?300 international companies, and ?50,000 expected visitors.
- Participants from 52 countries; six country pavilions and 12 state pavilions.
- Government-backed training has produced 70,000 semiconductor engineers, targeting 100,000.
Official Statements & Responses
Modi highlighted India’s rapid GDP growth (7.8 % quarterly) and a recent credit-rating upgrade as evidence of readiness for semiconductor fabs. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) promoted the “Sand to Silicon to Systems” value chain, noting that EDA tools are now available to more than 400 academic institutions and 105 startups, with 24 design projects receiving incentives.
Representatives from Applied Materials, Lam Research, Infineon and Tata Electronics announced new investments and collaborations, underscoring growing private-sector confidence.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem” — Narendra Modi
- “India is preparing to solve these challenges,” — Narendra Modi
- “Whether it concerns policy, funding, or the regulatory framework, the Government of India is taking every necessary step to ensure the success of your projects,” — Narendra Modi
- “India is taking all steps to become a preferred destination for semiconductor manufacturing ,” — Narendra Modi
Why It Matters
The push aligns with a global trend toward supply-chain resilience, as nations seek to reduce reliance on a few manufacturers. By developing a full-stack ecosystem—design, fabrication, advanced packaging, testing and talent—India aims to attract AI-driven chip demand and become a strategic partner for multinational equipment suppliers. Training and R&D initiatives are intended to turn India’s large engineering talent pool into a competitive advantage.
What’s Next
The government plans to continue expanding the programme through Semicon 2.0, focusing on chip design, equipment and materials, fabrication, advanced packaging, R&D, and talent development. Reforms will broaden participation by allowing international firms to partner with Indian startups and design houses. Training targets remain at 1 lakh engineering students, with the current cohort already exceeding 70,000. Outcomes will be tracked in upcoming industry reviews and the next SEMICON India edition in 2027.