The India Semiconductor Mission has marked a remarkable journey of one year, characterized by unprecedented growth, groundbreaking policies, and visionary leadership. With the country’s steadfast commitment to becoming a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing and innovation, the mission’s achievements have been nothing short of spectacular. From incentivizing advanced technology nodes to attracting major investments and fostering indigenous semiconductor startups, here’s a comprehensive overview of the key milestones achieved during this transformative year.
1. Incentivizing Advanced Nodes: A Quantum Leap
One of the cornerstones of the India Semiconductor Mission’s success has been the significant increase in incentives for Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Process (ATMP), Compound Semiconductor, and Legacy nodes. Incentives has been increased to 50% for ATMP, Compound and Legacy nodes beyond Si 28 nm fab. This strategic move has not only attracted major players in the semiconductor industry but has also propelled India onto the global semiconductor map.
2. Micron’s Bold Investment: Fueling Growth
A pivotal moment arrived when Micron announced its $2.75 billion investment in an ATMP facility, a testament to the investor-friendly climate fostered by the mission. This massive commitment not only bolsters India’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities but also serves as a ringing endorsement of the nation’s potential in this crucial sector.
3. Expanding the Ecosystem: Proposals Underway
The India Semiconductor Mission has spurred the initiation of three Compound Semiconductor and three ATMP/OSAT proposals, signaling the growing interest and confidence of both domestic and international stakeholders in India’s semiconductor ecosystem. These proposals hold the promise of further diversifying and strengthening the industry.
4. Wide Geographic Reach: Semiconductor Policies
In a strategic move to ensure broad-based growth, the mission has managed to secure semiconductor policies from not just one, but three states – U.P., Odisha, and Gujarat. This decentralization approach is paving the way for a distributed and resilient semiconductor ecosystem across the country.
Read more: Semicon India 2023: What all happened?
5. Influx of Investments: Powering Innovation
The India Semiconductor Mission has successfully attracted substantial investments from global giants. Notable among them are Applied Materials (AMAT) with a $400 million investment, AMD with an equally impressive $400 million, and Microchip contributing $300 million. These investments are a testament to India’s potential as a lucrative semiconductor market.
6. Nurturing Indigenous Startups: Fostering Innovation
Under the umbrella of the mission, the FutureDesign program, driven by the Digital Leadership Institute (DLI), has granted approval to seven fabless startups. This nurturing of indigenous innovation is pivotal in building a robust semiconductor ecosystem with homegrown talent.
7. Revolutionizing Processing: DIR-V on the Rise
The Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) initiative has witnessed remarkable progress in collaboration with esteemed institutions like IIT Madras, C-DAC, INcore, Mindgrove, and Calligo. This revolutionary effort is poised to reshape digital processing landscapes and reduce dependency on proprietary architectures.
Read more: India’s RISC-V Revolution: DIR-V to Create 10,000 Jobs
8. Collaborative Excellence: C2S Program Launched
A standout achievement of the mission is the launch of the Collaborative Chip-to-System (C2S) program. With participation from 103 institutes, including 13 startups, this initiative aims to harness collective expertise to drive semiconductor research and development, fostering innovation at every step.
9. Pioneering Education: VLSI Design in Focus
The India Semiconductor Mission is not only about manufacturing prowess; it’s also about education. With the introduction of B. Tech in VLSI Design by AICTE and over 300 institutes poised to offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs, India is nurturing a future-ready talent pool.
10. Setting New Standards: ISRC and SCL Modernization
The icing on the cake is the announcement of the India Semiconductor Research Consortium (iSRC), further elevating India’s semiconductor research capabilities. Additionally, the modernization of Semiconductor Complex Ltd. (SCL) is poised to create state-of-the-art facilities that align with global standards.
In conclusion, the India Semiconductor Mission has made monumental strides in just one year, positioning the country as a formidable contender in the global semiconductor arena. With visionary leadership, progressive policies, and enthusiastic collaboration, the mission is poised to drive India’s semiconductor journey to unprecedented heights, ushering in an era of innovation, self-reliance, and global recognition.
Also Read: India’s semiconductor dream: Burnt with SCL (1984-2006)
