SEMICON India 2025, held from September 2–4 at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention & Expo Centre) in New Delhi, marked a pivotal moment in India’s journey to becoming a global semiconductor hub. Organized by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) in partnership with SEMI, this flagship event brought together over 20,750 attendees, 2,500 delegates from 48 countries, 150+ speakers, and 350 exhibitors.

Under the theme “Building the Next Semiconductor Powerhouse,” the conference showcased India’s rapid strides in chip design, manufacturing, and innovation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the event, emphasizing India’s stable policies and ambitious vision to capture a significant share of the $1 trillion global semiconductor market by 2030.

This year’s SEMICON India was not just a conference but a bold statement of India’s commitment to self-reliance and global leadership in semiconductors. From groundbreaking policy initiatives to technological milestones, the event was packed with major announcements that signal India’s unprecedented progress. Below, we dive into the key announcements from SEMICON India 2025, providing detailed insights into each development.

1. Presentation of India’s First “Made-in-India” Chip to PM Modi

One of the most significant highlights of SEMICON India 2025 was the presentation of India’s first fully indigenous semiconductor chip to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Developed by ISRO’s Semiconductor Lab, the Vikram 32-bit microprocessor is a landmark achievement, designed to operate under harsh conditions for space and launch vehicle applications. This milestone underscores India’s growing capability in end-to-end chip design and manufacturing.

• Details: The Vikram microprocessor is a testament to the success of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), launched in 2021. It marks a critical step toward reducing India’s reliance on imported semiconductors, which currently account for nearly all of the country’s chip consumption. The chip’s development aligns with the government’s vision of fostering indigenous innovation in strategic sectors like space, defense, and communication.
• Impact: The unveiling of the Vikram chip positions India as a credible player in the global semiconductor landscape. It also sets the stage for the anticipated rollout of additional “Made-in-India” chips by the end of 2025, particularly from CG Semi’s Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat, which was launched on August 28, 2025.
• Quote: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, “We just presented the first ‘Made-in-India’ chip to PM Modi… In a short span of 3.5 years, we have the world looking at India with confidence.”

2. Signing of 12 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)

SEMICON India 2025 saw the announcement of 12 MoUs aimed at developing indigenous capabilities in semiconductor design and manufacturing. These agreements focus on fostering innovation in critical areas such as camera modules, microphone buds, miniature packaging, and talent development.

• Details: The MoUs involve collaborations between government bodies, academic institutions, and industry players, including global giants and Indian startups. Key focus areas include:
  • Design and Product Development: Enhancing capabilities in designing advanced components like camera modules and microphone buds, critical for consumer electronics.
  • Miniature Packaging: Advancing technologies for compact, high-performance chip packaging to meet the demands of modern devices.
  • Talent Development Ecosystem: Partnering with universities and training institutes to build a skilled workforce, with initiatives like LAM Research’s collaboration with 60 universities to train 60,000 engineers over the next decade.
• Impact: These MoUs strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem by promoting industry-academia linkages and fostering innovation in high-growth areas. They also support the government’s goal of creating a self-reliant supply chain, reducing dependence on imports, and positioning India as a trusted global partner.
• Global Perspective: Ajit Manocha, President and CEO of SEMI, emphasized, “India, in two years, is where others took over a decade to arrive,” highlighting the rapid pace of ecosystem development.

3. Approval of 10 Strategic Semiconductor Projects

The event highlighted the approval of 10 strategic semiconductor projects with a cumulative investment of approximately $16–18 billion (₹1.5 lakh crore). These projects span fabrication, packaging, compound semiconductors, and OSAT facilities, marking a significant leap in India’s manufacturing capabilities.

• Details:
  • Operational Units: Six semiconductor units are already operational, with four additional facilities recently approved.
  • Key Players: Companies like Tata Electronics, Micron, CG Power, and Kaynes are leading the charge. For instance, Tata Electronics is developing fabrication and testing plants in Gujarat and Assam, while CG Semi’s OSAT facility in Sanand is set to produce India’s first domestically assembled chip.
  • Investment Breakdown: The government’s ₹76,000-crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has committed nearly ₹65,000 crore to these projects, driving unprecedented infrastructure development.
• Impact: These projects are expected to create 600,000 jobs by 2030 and contribute to India’s semiconductor market reaching $100 billion by the same year. They also position India as a vital node in the global supply chain, attracting interest from multinational giants like AMD, Applied Materials, and ASML.
• Quote: Prime Minister Modi noted, “These projects have drawn a combined investment of $18 billion or ₹1.5 lakh crore. This is reflective of the world’s confidence in India.”

4. Next Phase of the India Semiconductor Mission and Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme

Prime Minister Modi announced that the government is working on the next phase of the India Semiconductor Mission and the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme, signaling a continued push toward self-reliance and innovation.

• Details:
  • India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): Launched in 2021, the ISM aims to establish India as a global hub for chip design, manufacturing, and technology development. The next phase will focus on accelerating approvals and reducing bureaucratic hurdles to expedite “file-to-factory” timelines.
  • DLI Scheme: The scheme has sanctioned 23 chip design projects to support startups and innovators, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for semiconductor design. These initiatives aim to transition India from a consumer to a creator of advanced semiconductor technologies.
  • Policy Support: The National Single Window System was highlighted as a key enabler, streamlining approvals from both central and state governments to facilitate faster project execution.
• Impact: The expansion of the ISM and DLI scheme underscores India’s long-term commitment to building a resilient semiconductor ecosystem. By prioritizing innovation and commercialization, these initiatives aim to ensure that “Made-in-India” chips are trusted globally.
• Quote: Modi emphasized, “The shorter the time from file to factory, and the lesser the paperwork, the sooner wafer work can begin.”

5. Global Endorsements and Strategic Collaborations

SEMICON India 2025 featured strong endorsements from global semiconductor leaders, reinforcing India’s emergence as a vital supply-chain hub. CEOs from ASML, LAM Research, Merck, Applied Materials, and AMD participated in roundtable discussions and shared their commitment to India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

• Details:
  • ASML: CEO Christoph Fouquet called India an “innovation powerhouse harnessing the potential of over a billion minds,” signaling plans for deeper engagement in India’s chip ecosystem.
  • LAM Research: CEO Tim Archer highlighted a 25-year association with India and the growth of its India Centre of Engineering into a development hub, with a focus on training 60,000 engineers over the next decade.
  • Applied Materials: President Prabhu Raja urged India to move from “Make in India” to “Invent in India,” emphasizing the need for speed in innovation and commercialization.
  • AMD: Chief Technology Officer Mark Papermaster noted Bengaluru’s role as one of AMD’s largest global design centers, following a $400 million R&D investment announced in 2023.
  • Merck: CEO Kai Beckmann forecasted India’s semiconductor market to reach $100 billion by 2030, pointing to early movers like Tata Electronics and Micron.
• Impact: These endorsements from industry giants validate India’s rapid progress and attract further investments. The presence of 18 nations exhibiting products and six country-level roundtables underscores the global interest in partnering with India.
• Quote: Ajit Manocha of SEMI stated, “Semiconductor is foundational to humanity. India’s role will be equally foundational.”

6. Doubling of Exhibitor Booths and Global Participation

The event showcased an unprecedented scale, with exhibitor booths doubling from 650 in 2024 to nearly 1,300 in 2025. This growth reflects India’s rapid ascent in the global semiconductor landscape.

• Details:
  • Attendance: Over 20,750 participants, including 2,500 delegates from 48 countries and 15,000 visitors from 45 countries, attended the event.
  • Exhibitors: More than 350 companies, including global leaders like ASMPT (booth #1223) and Besi (booth #1614), showcased innovations in fabrication, packaging, and smart manufacturing.
  • Program Highlights: The three-day schedule featured keynotes, workshops, and panel discussions on topics like fab equipment, advanced packaging, compound semiconductors, workforce development, and startup ecosystems. Dedicated pavilions for workforce development and startups highlighted India’s focus on skilling and innovation.
• Impact: The doubling of exhibitor booths in just one year demonstrates India’s ability to compress a decade of progress into two years, outpacing the early growth of semiconductor ecosystems in the US and China. This scale-up enhances India’s visibility as a premier destination for semiconductor investment and collaboration.
• Quote: Ajit Manocha remarked, “India has compressed a decade of semiconductor progress into just two years.”

7. Focus on Workforce Development and Skilling Initiatives

SEMICON India 2025 emphasized the importance of building a world-class workforce to sustain India’s semiconductor ambitions. Dedicated pavilions and sessions focused on workforce development and skilling initiatives.

• Details:
  • LAM Research Initiative: A commitment to train 60,000 engineers over 10 years through partnerships with 60 universities.
  • Academic Collaborations: Over 280 academic institutions are engaged in empowering startups and fostering R&D under the ISM.
  • Startup Ecosystem: A dedicated pavilion for design startups highlighted the role of young innovators in driving India’s semiconductor growth.
• Impact: These initiatives address the critical need for a skilled workforce, ensuring that India’s demographic advantage translates into a competitive edge. By fostering talent development, India is building a sustainable ecosystem capable of supporting mega projects and global partnerships.
• Quote: Kai Beckmann of Merck noted, “The extraordinary complexity of chipmaking relies on a skilled workforce and a robust supply chain.”

Conclusion: India’s Semiconductor Revolution Takes Flight

SEMICON India 2025 was a resounding success, showcasing India’s transformation from a semiconductor consumer to a creator and innovator. The presentation of the first “Made-in-India” chip, the signing of 12 MoUs, the approval of 10 strategic projects, and the global endorsements from industry leaders highlight India’s unprecedented progress. With a robust policy framework, significant investments, and a focus on talent development, India is poised to become a global semiconductor powerhouse by 2030.

As Prime Minister Modi aptly stated, “The days are not far when the world would take note of chips designed in India, made in India, and trusted by the world.” SEMICON India 2025 has set the stage for this vision, marking a new era of technological self-reliance and global leadership. Mark your calendars for the next edition, September 2–4, 2026, as India continues to redefine the global semiconductor landscape.

Sources

• The Tribune, September 2, 2025
• The Tribune, September 1, 2025
• ETManufacturing, September 2, 2025
• Besi, 2025
• PWOnlyIAS, September 2, 2025
• The Hindu, September 2, 2025
• Communications Today, September 2, 2025
• @PIB_India, September 3, 2025
• @airnewsalerts, September 3, 2025
• @SEMIIndia, September 2, 2025