New Delhi — India's ambitions in the global semiconductor landscape are no longer confined to policy documents and press releases. Union Minister for Railways, Communications, and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw told NDTV's Padmaja Joshi at Semicon India here on Tuesday that the country has moved well beyond its earlier aspirational phase and is now drawing confidence from the ground-level execution of semiconductor projects.
Speaking at one of Asia's most prominent semiconductor trade fairs and conference series, Vaishnaw highlighted that India is transitioning from announcing grand visions to delivering measurable results. The minister pointed to several fab and display manufacturing units that have either commenced operations or are in advanced stages of construction across the country, marking a shift from policy intent to physical infrastructure.
India's semiconductor mission, launched with a Rs 76,000-crore incentive package in 2021, was designed to position the country as a competitive alternative to China and Taiwan in global chip supply chains. The scheme offers financial support covering up to 50 per cent of project costs for semiconductor fabrication, display fabs, and associated packaging and testing units. Over the past few years, the government has approved several large projects, including contributions from Tata Electronics, Micron Technology, and CG Power.
Vaishnaw acknowledged that while significant progress has been made, the minister stressed the importance of sustained momentum. "We have moved beyond where we were a few years back," he said, referring to the early days when India's semiconductor story was largely about MoUs and letters of intent. He emphasised that the real test now lies in timely delivery, cost competitiveness, and integration into global supply networks.
Industry participants at Semicon India noted that the government's recent focus on developing semiconductor ecosystems — including specialty chemicals, engineering services, and workforce training — signals a more mature approach to building a self-reliant industry rather than simply attracting standalone fab plants.
Analysts say India's entry into semiconductor manufacturing comes at a crucial juncture, as global demand for chips surges due to artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and defence applications. However, they caution that building a sustainable ecosystem will require consistent policy support, skilled labour development, and deep integration with international partners over the next decade.
