1st Made-in-India Semiconductor Chip | Gist of Rajya Sabha TV / RSTV (now Sansad TV) - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Key Achievements

• Vikram Processor: India’s first indigenously designed and produced chip.
• Policy Framework: Comprehensive support for design, manufacturing, and packaging.
• Global Engagement: Semicon India 2025 hosted 500+ leaders from 48 countries.
• Startup Growth: 72 startups supported with funding and EDA tool access.

Key Highlights

• Digital Diamonds: Modi hails semiconductors as transformative for global progress.
• Vikram Unveiled: First made-in-India chip marks semiconductor milestone.
• Cost Advantage: 15-30% lower production costs than global benchmarks.
• Talent Retention: IIT students stay to innovate, aiming for foundries and startups.
• Startup Support: Free EDA tools and funding for 280 colleges and 72 startups.
• Global Hub: Semicon India 2025 fosters partnerships and supply chain integration.
• Future Vision: Aims to build Indian semiconductor giants like Nvidia or Qualcomm.

Key Insights

1. Agile Policy Framework
   ISM’s success stems from a flexible, comprehensive policy covering the entire semiconductor value chain, enabling rapid project approvals and industry-driven tweaks.

2. Talent Retention Shift
   Top engineering students at IITs now stay in India, inspired to launch foundries and startups, signaling confidence in the domestic tech ecosystem.

3. Cost-Competitive Edge
   India’s 15-30% cost advantage leverages talent (20% of global design engineers), technology partnerships, and fiscal incentives, enhancing global competitiveness.

4. Startup Ecosystem Boost
   Free access to costly EDA tools and funding via DLI and C2S programs lowers barriers, enabling startups to innovate and scale in a capital-intensive sector.

5. Global Industry Confidence
   Semicon India 2025’s participation from 48 countries highlights India’s rising role in the global semiconductor supply chain, fostering collaborations and technology transfers.

6. Holistic Ecosystem Development
   Investments in design, packaging, and fabrication, supported by the Deep Tech Alliance’s $1 billion, aim to create a self-reliant semiconductor industry.

7. Global Leadership Vision
   India’s ambition to build Nvidia-like giants focuses on R&D, advanced packaging, and partnerships with firms like Tata and Micron, targeting global market leadership.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Challenges: Scaling fabrication capacity, sustaining R&D funding, and navigating global competition.
• Opportunities: Leveraging talent, expanding global partnerships, and leading in design and innovation.

Conclusion

The Vikram 32-bit processor and India Semiconductor Mission mark India’s emergence as a semiconductor powerhouse, driven by agile policies, talent retention, and global engagement at Semicon India 2025. With a cost-competitive ecosystem and a vision to create global giants, India is poised to lead in design, manufacturing, and innovation, aligning with the Viksit Bharat vision for 2047.