India's Semiconductor Ambitions: Four New Plants by 2026
Accelerating Semiconductor Development in India
On March 31, in Sanand, Gujarat, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced that India is set to establish four semiconductor plants by 2026. This announcement followed the inauguration of a new facility by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Vaishnaw stated, "By 2026, we will have four plants operational, with an additional two expected in 2027. The first fabrication unit will be established in Dholera by 2028."
He highlighted that the Sanand facility is the second semiconductor plant to be inaugurated in a short span, following the opening of Micron Technology's plant on February 28. A third plant is scheduled for inauguration in July.
The minister emphasized the rapid progress, noting that the facility transitioned from foundation to commercial production in just 14 months.
This development showcases the advancing capabilities of India's semiconductor ecosystem, inspiring engineers and students nationwide.
Regarding global competitiveness, he remarked, "We must excel in quality and cost to secure our position in the global market."
The semiconductor initiative is bolstered by the growth of a comprehensive ecosystem, including machinery, chemicals, gases, and testing facilities.
Vaishnaw mentioned that around 60,000 young engineers have been trained in specialized global tools like Synopsys and Cadence, contributing to chip design.
He noted, "Chips designed by these engineers are currently being produced in a laboratory in Chandigarh."
Global companies such as Nvidia, AMD, and Intel are also engaging in advanced chip design in India, with complex 2-nanometre chips being developed domestically.
Looking ahead, Vaishnaw indicated that under the Semicon 2.0 initiative, the Prime Minister has mandated that the entire ecosystem, including machines, gases, and chemicals, should be sourced within India.
The goal is for India to rank among the top six semiconductor nations by 2032 and the top three by 2047.
Gujarat's Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, remarked that the state is progressing in technology-driven sectors under the Prime Minister's guidance, stating, "Sanand and Dholera will become a semiconductor valley."
He expressed confidence that Gujarat's youth will fulfill the demand for skilled labor in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and deep technology.
Patel added, "Gujarat is evolving into a hub for AI, semiconductors, green hydrogen, and renewable energy," and mentioned ongoing initiatives like the establishment of an Advanced Material Centre and semiconductor-related courses in educational institutions.
He also highlighted improvements in logistics infrastructure and noted that Gujarat introduced its semiconductor policy in 2022 to position the state as a technology center.