India’s semiconductor vision is gaining rapid momentum with a significant breakthrough—the design of a 3-nanometre (nm) chip developed entirely within the country. Alongside this technological feat, the government has launched several large-scale initiatives aimed at nurturing domestic talent and establishing an end-to-end semiconductor ecosystem.

India, already home to nearly 20 per cent of the world’s semiconductor design engineers, is now leveraging this talent base to position itself as a global hub for advanced chip design and manufacturing. Recognising the strategic importance of semiconductors for digital infrastructure, national security, and economic growth, the Indian government is pushing forward with a comprehensive and collaborative approach involving academia, industry, and global partners.

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India Unveils 3 nm Chip Designed Domestically

The recent unveiling of a 3 nm semiconductor chip designed in India underscores the rising technical prowess of Indian engineers and design centres. This achievement is a testament to the growing contribution of Indian talent to the global semiconductor supply chain and is seen as a milestone in the country’s push towards technological self-reliance.

Govt's Skill Development Mission 

To support this momentum, the government has initiated several programs to train the next generation of chip designers and semiconductor engineers. A newly introduced curriculum by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) now offers focused training in VLSI Design and Technology and Integrated Circuit (IC) manufacturing. As part of its goal to develop 85,000 skilled professionals in the chip design space, the government has also ensured the provision of advanced Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools to institutions across the country. So far, more than 45,000 students from 100 institutions have enrolled in these specialised training programs.

One of the flagship initiatives is the Skilled Manpower Advanced Research and Training (SMART) Lab set up at NIELIT Calicut. This facility aims to train over 1 lakh engineers across India, with more than 44,000 engineers already trained in the latest semiconductor technologies. Collaborations with major global companies such as Lam Research and IBM and academic institutions like Purdue University are further amplifying the impact of these skill-building efforts.

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Semiconductor Manufacturing Gets a Boost Under Semicon India

Beyond talent development, the Indian government is also investing heavily in infrastructure and incentives to attract chip manufacturing and design firms. The Semicon India program, launched with a total outlay of ₹76,000 crore, is designed to catalyse both semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystems. So far, six semiconductor fabrication units and 22 design-linked incentive (DLI) projects have been approved under this program. In addition, 72 companies have been granted access to critical chip design infrastructure such as EDA tools and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) boards sourced from industry leaders including Synopsys, Cadence, and Siemens.

Support for post-silicon validation, testing, and packaging is also being provided, ensuring that startups and MSMEs can take their designs from concept to commercial production with minimal friction.

Global Chip Giants Expand Operations 

With a supportive policy framework and a rich talent pool, global semiconductor design companies are expanding their operations in India at an unprecedented pace. These companies are tapping into India’s engineering expertise to design cutting-edge chips and accelerate product innovation. The convergence of local innovation, government backing, and international collaboration is shaping India into a trusted partner in the global semiconductor landscape.