SEMICON India 2026: India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem, Significance and Key Developments
Introduction
SEMICON India 2026 is an important platform showcasing India’s growing semiconductor capabilities and its efforts to develop a complete semiconductor ecosystem. The event brings together semiconductor companies, technology leaders, policymakers, investors and other stakeholders to discuss opportunities across chip design, manufacturing, packaging, innovation and talent development.
The 2026 edition was inaugurated at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, and was organised around the theme “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem.” The theme reflects India’s broader ambition to move beyond electronics assembly and develop capabilities across the semiconductor value chain.
Why Are Semiconductors Important?
Semiconductors are fundamental to almost every modern digital and industrial technology. Semiconductor chips are used in automobiles, telecommunications, healthcare, defence, aerospace, consumer electronics, artificial intelligence and advanced computing.
Modern chips contain billions of transistors in extremely small spaces. Advanced semiconductor technologies enable faster computing, efficient energy use, artificial intelligence applications and increasingly sophisticated digital systems.
Semiconductors are also strategically important because disruptions in their supply can affect multiple industries simultaneously. The global semiconductor shortage during and after the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the risks associated with dependence on a limited number of manufacturing locations.
As a result, countries across the world have been working to strengthen domestic semiconductor capabilities and build more resilient and diversified supply chains.
What Is SEMICON India 2026?
SEMICON India is a major semiconductor conference and exhibition focused on India's semiconductor ecosystem. The first edition was held in 2022 in Bengaluru, and the 2026 edition represents the fifth edition of the event.
SEMICON India 2026 focuses on the development of an integrated semiconductor ecosystem covering:
- Semiconductor design
- Chip fabrication
- Assembly, testing and packaging
- Semiconductor research and innovation
- Talent development
- Advanced manufacturing
- Global technology partnerships
The event provides a platform for India to showcase its semiconductor ambitions and engage with global companies and technology stakeholders.
India’s Growing Electronics and Semiconductor Ecosystem
India's semiconductor ambitions are supported by the rapid expansion of its electronics manufacturing sector. Over the past decade, the country has significantly increased its electronics production and exports.
According to the figures highlighted in the source material, electronics production increased from approximately ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2014–15 to ₹13.11 lakh crore in 2025–26. Electronics exports also increased from around ₹38,000 crore to ₹4.24 lakh crore during the same period.
Mobile phone manufacturing has expanded particularly rapidly. Production increased from approximately ₹18,000 crore in 2014–15 to ₹6.27 lakh crore in 2025–26, while smartphone exports increased from around ₹1,500 crore to ₹2.59 lakh crore.
This expansion has helped India move from significant dependence on imported mobile phones towards a much stronger domestic manufacturing and export base.
The electronics manufacturing ecosystem has also contributed to employment generation and the development of industrial skills, creating a foundation for more advanced technology manufacturing.
Semicon India Programme
The Semicon India Programme was launched in 2021 with an initial financial outlay of ₹76,000 crore.
The programme aims to establish a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem in India by supporting different stages of the semiconductor value chain, including:
- Semiconductor design
- Semiconductor fabrication
- Assembly, testing and packaging
- Semiconductor equipment
- Materials
- Research and development
- Skilled workforce development
The programme follows an ecosystem-based approach rather than focusing exclusively on semiconductor fabrication. This approach is intended to strengthen India's capabilities from chip design to manufacturing and advanced packaging.
Semicon India Programme 2.0
In July 2026, the government approved Semicon India Programme 2.0, with an enhanced outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore.
The expanded programme is aimed at accelerating semiconductor manufacturing and strengthening India's position in the global semiconductor value chain.
According to the information highlighted in the source material, 12 semiconductor projects have been approved across six states, with investment commitments exceeding ₹1.64 lakh crore.
The approved projects cover different areas, including:
- Silicon semiconductor fabrication
- Compound semiconductor manufacturing
- Display fabrication
- Advanced semiconductor packaging
These developments indicate a shift from policy formulation towards the establishment of actual semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
Building India’s Semiconductor Design Ecosystem
A strong semiconductor industry requires not only manufacturing facilities but also a large pool of skilled engineers, researchers and chip designers.
India has therefore placed considerable emphasis on developing semiconductor design capabilities through initiatives such as the Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme and the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme.
The C2S Programme provides academic institutions with access to semiconductor design infrastructure, training facilities and Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools.
According to the figures cited in the source material, EDA tools have been made available across 320 academic institutions, giving more than 68,000 students exposure to advanced semiconductor design technologies.
The initiatives have also supported chip design projects and startups. The source material states that 24 chip design projects have received financial support, while 105 startups and MSMEs have received EDA tool support under the DLI framework.
Growth of Indigenous Chip Design
India's semiconductor design ecosystem has also expanded through the development and testing of indigenous chip designs.
By April 2026, according to the source material, 211 chips had been taped out by 75 institutions. Taping out refers to the stage at which a chip design is finalised and prepared for manufacturing.
Of these designs, seven chips had been fabricated at different technology nodes, including nodes of up to 12 nanometres.
These developments demonstrate progress from academic and industrial chip design towards actual semiconductor fabrication.
ChipIN Centre
The ChipIN Centre at C-DAC has been established to provide shared access to advanced semiconductor design tools, fabrication services and specialised training.
The centre supports institutions, startups and engineers that may otherwise face high costs and infrastructure barriers associated with semiconductor development.
According to the source material, ChipIN-related initiatives have extended semiconductor design support to more than 1 lakh engineers from over 500 organisations, including approximately 400 academic institutions and 100 startups.
The supported organisations have also developed 300+ chip designs for potential fabrication at facilities such as the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali, as well as advanced global foundries.
Shared infrastructure can help reduce entry barriers, improve access to expensive design tools and accelerate innovation in semiconductor design.
India and Global Semiconductor Supply Chains
Semiconductor manufacturing is closely connected with global supply chains involving raw materials, specialised equipment, chip design, fabrication, packaging and advanced computing infrastructure.
India's semiconductor strategy therefore also includes international cooperation.
India's participation in initiatives such as the Pax Silica coalition is aimed at strengthening semiconductor supply-chain resilience and cooperation in areas associated with the broader “silicon stack.”
This includes critical minerals, semiconductor manufacturing, advanced artificial intelligence systems and supporting infrastructure.
Diversifying supply chains can help reduce excessive dependence on a limited number of geographical locations and improve access to strategically important technologies.
Why Does India Need a Semiconductor Ecosystem?
Developing a complete semiconductor ecosystem can provide India with several economic and strategic benefits.
Technological Capability
A domestic semiconductor ecosystem can strengthen India's capabilities in advanced electronics, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, automotive technology and defence systems.
Supply-Chain Resilience
Greater domestic capacity can reduce vulnerability to disruptions in global semiconductor supply chains.
Economic Growth
Semiconductor manufacturing, design and packaging can attract investment, create high-skilled employment and support the growth of related industries.
Innovation and Startups
Access to design tools, fabrication facilities and research infrastructure can encourage innovation and enable more Indian startups and institutions to participate in chip development.
Strategic Technology Capability
Semiconductors are increasingly important for national security, artificial intelligence, communications and advanced computing. Developing domestic capabilities can therefore contribute to India's technological self-reliance.
Challenges Ahead
Despite significant progress, building a globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem remains a complex task.
India needs continued investment in:
- Advanced fabrication technologies
- Semiconductor research and development
- Skilled human resources
- Reliable power and water infrastructure
- Semiconductor-grade materials
- Supply-chain integration
- Advanced packaging
- Global technology partnerships
The semiconductor industry is highly capital-intensive and technologically complex. Sustaining competitiveness will require long-term investment, continuous innovation and coordination between government, industry, academia and research institutions.
Conclusion
SEMICON India 2026 highlights India's efforts to move from a primarily electronics-manufacturing base towards a more comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem.
Government programmes, semiconductor projects, chip-design initiatives, talent-development programmes and international partnerships are contributing to the development of capabilities across the semiconductor value chain.
The long-term objective is not limited to manufacturing semiconductor chips. It also includes building capabilities in chip design, fabrication, advanced packaging, research, innovation and skilled human resources.
A stronger semiconductor ecosystem can support India's digital economy, strengthen supply-chain resilience, promote high-value manufacturing and contribute to technological self-reliance.
Important Facts for Competitive Examinations
- SEMICON India 2026: Fifth edition of the event.
- First SEMICON India: 2022, Bengaluru.
- 2026 Theme: “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem.”
- Semicon India Programme: Launched in 2021.
- Initial programme outlay: ₹76,000 crore.
- Semicon India Programme 2.0: Approved in July 2026.
- Semicon 2.0 outlay: ₹1,27,500 crore.
- Approved semiconductor projects: 12 projects across six states.
- Investment commitments: More than ₹1.64 lakh crore.
- C2S: Chips to Startup Programme.
- DLI: Design Linked Incentive Scheme.
- EDA: Electronic Design Automation.
- ChipIN Centre: Semiconductor design and training facility at C-DAC.
- Pax Silica: Initiative focused on strengthening semiconductor supply-chain resilience.