India has emerged as a frontrunner in the global technology revolution, with a strong emphasis on the electronics industry.
Central to this progress are semiconductors, which find applications in diverse sectors like communication, defense, automobiles, and computing devices.
As part of the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), the country is committed to strengthening its electronics sector and fostering a world-class semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.
The SemiconIndia conference series serves as a platform to showcase India’s potential as a hub for semiconductor design and manufacturing, attracting industry leaders, investors, and government officials from around the world.
A testament to this commitment was the grand event, Semicon India 2023, which attracted more than 10,000 attendees, including government officials, industry leaders, and investors.
The event featured distinguished keynote speakers, engaging panel discussions, and a showcase of various companies and technologies through exhibition booths.
It served as a platform to showcase India’s determination to emerge as a leading global hub for semiconductor manufacturing.
Semicon India 2022: Setting the Stage
The first step in demonstrating India’s prowess in semiconductor design and manufacturing was taken through the SemiconIndia 2022 Conference, held in Bengaluru.
The event laid the foundation for India’s semiconductor journey and highlighted the country’s ambitions to become a self-sufficient player in the global electronics market.
Semicon India 2023: Catalyzing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem
Building upon the success of the previous year, the India Semiconductor Mission organized the SemiconIndia 2023 Conference with the theme ‘Catalyzing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem’ at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
The conference attracted more than 8,000 participants from over 23 countries, including prominent industry leaders and representatives from major global semiconductor companies.
Inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
The three-day SemiconIndia 2023 was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
In his address, the Prime Minister underscored the crucial role of semiconductors in the daily lives of people and reaffirmed India’s commitment to building a robust semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem through the Semicon India Programme.
“Last year, we all took part in Semicon India’s first edition. Back then, the discussion was on, ‘Why invest in India?’ Now that we are meeting after a year, the question has changed to, ‘Why not invest in India?”
~Narendra Modi
Industry Leaders Embrace India’s Semiconductor Journey
During the event, industry leaders from major semiconductor companies shared their perspectives on India’s semiconductor landscape and its potential for growth.
- Micron Technology: Mr. Sanjay Mehrotra, speaking on behalf of Micron, highlighted significant opportunities for India to strengthen its manufacturing ecosystem. Micron pledged to be an active participant in India’s semiconductor journey.
- Cadence: Mr. Anirudh Devgan, President and CEO of Cadence, commended India’s strengths in the semiconductor industry, including government support, a pool of technology talent, and the presence of multinational companies.
- Applied Materials: Mr. Prabu Raja, President of SPG at Applied Materials, pointed out the industry’s growth driven by factors such as Artificial Intelligence, clean energy initiatives, and digital transformation.
- AMD: Mr. Mark Papermaster, CTO of AMD, spoke about the tremendous potential of AI for India and AMD’s significant investment in establishing India as the world’s largest design center for the company.
- Foxconn: Mr. S.Y. Chiang, Chief Strategy Officer of Foxconn, discussed the challenges and opportunities in the post Moore’s Law Era, focusing on system design, packaging, and meeting requirements of applications like IoT.
Government to Expand DLI Scheme for Semiconductor Companies, Welcoming Larger Fabless Firms
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and IT, revealed the government’s plans to broaden the design-linked incentive (DLI) scheme for semiconductor companies. Responding to suggestions from industry stakeholders, the DLI scheme will now be extended to include larger companies, both foreign and Indian. The new proposal aims to attract significant fabless companies to design and develop intellectual property (IP) in India, either in collaboration with local startups or independently. By qualifying for financial support under the DLI scheme, these larger firms are expected to bolster India’s position as a key player in the global semiconductor market.
Arm flexible access for DLI startups
Discover a groundbreaking collaboration between the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) and Arm, the world’s leading semiconductor IP company, that aims to revolutionize India’s semiconductor startup ecosystem. The partnership broadens support under the Design Linked Incentive Scheme (DLI), providing startups with access to the Arm Flexible Access for Startups program. This innovative initiative offers startups a $0 license fee access to cutting-edge Arm IP, tools, and training, empowering them to experiment, innovate, and design with confidence.
Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar Highlights Government’s Commitment to Revive India’s Semiconductor Industry
Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, addressed the media ahead of the SemiconIndia Conference, shedding light on the challenges faced by India’s semiconductor industry in the past. He attributed the industry’s lagging growth to the lack of political vision and strategic clarity exhibited by previous governments. However, the minister expressed confidence in the present government’s efforts in revitalizing India’s electronics ecosystem, making it one of the fastest-growing electronics manufacturing nations globally. He emphasized India’s potential in the semiconductor sector and the government’s unwavering commitment to unleash its true capabilities, aiming to achieve in the coming years what some neighboring nations couldn’t achieve in three decades and with massive investments.
Parallel announcements: Silicon Power Group’s $122M Investment to Odissa, India
Silicon Power Group’s investment in India’s semiconductor industry is set to transform the landscape, with a focus on empowering electric car manufacturing and energy applications. RiR Power Electronics, the group’s Indian unit, will establish a cutting-edge facility in Odisha to produce essential 150-millimeter silicon carbide components. This move aligns with India’s vision to become a formidable semiconductor hub, attracting significant global investments and fostering sustainable technological advancements.
Parallel announcements: Synopsis to setup a design centre in Odisha
Synopsys, a global leader in Electronics Design and Automation (EDA), has revealed its intention to establish a chip design centre in Odisha. This move comes as part of the state’s efforts to build a resilient semiconductor ecosystem and promote industry-readiness in the workforce. The facility will house 300 chip design engineers specializing in high-tech roles and will include members from top Synopsys teams.
“You have attached your dreams with India’s aspirations and India doesn’t disappoint anyone.”
~Narendra Modi
Conclusion: India’s Crucial Role in the Global Semiconductor Sector
SemiconIndia 2023 provided a vital platform for industry leaders, government officials, and investors to discuss and deliberate on various aspects shaping India’s semiconductor ecosystem. As India continues its journey towards self-reliance and establishes itself as a major player in the global semiconductor sector, events like SemiconIndia play a crucial role in showcasing the country’s potential and encouraging collaboration for a thriving semiconductor ecosystem.
