PM Modi Inaugurates SEMICON India 2026, Showcases India’s Growing Semiconductor Strength

PM Modi Inaugurates SEMICON India 2026, Showcases India’s Growing Semiconductor Strength

Introduction

• Major Event: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the fifth edition of SEMICON India 2026 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi on September 17, 2026. The three-day event is being held from September 17 to September 19 and is based on the theme “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem.”
• Global Gathering:The event has brought together semiconductor companies, government officials, investors, researchers, startups, educational institutions and students from different parts of the world. Its main aim is to encourage investment, innovation, cooperation and skill development in India’s semiconductor industry.

New Delhi Hosts India’s Biggest Semiconductor Event

• Huge Participation: SEMICON India 2026 has become one of the biggest semiconductor events in Asia. More than 600 companies and representatives from 52 countries are taking part in the event. Around 50,000 visitors are expected to attend during the three days.
• International Presence: Six countries — Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore and Sweden — have set up special country pavilions at the exhibition. These pavilions are helping companies and governments explore new business and technology partnerships.
• State Showcases: Twelve Indian states have also set up their own booths to display investment opportunities, industrial facilities and future plans related to semiconductor manufacturing. These booths are aimed at attracting investors from India and abroad.
• Innovation Activities: The event includes a Startup Pavilion, Innovation Showcase, Student Hackathon and Workforce Development Pavilion. These activities are designed to encourage new ideas, support startups and help young people develop skills for the semiconductor sector.

PM Modi Highlights India’s Semiconductor Progress

• Fast Development: During his address, Prime Minister Modi said that India’s semiconductor sector has grown quickly in a short period. He pointed out that the country has moved from making plans and policies to actually producing semiconductor-related products and setting up manufacturing facilities.
• Growing Confidence: The Prime Minister said that global companies are showing greater trust in India because of the country’s stable policies, strong economic growth and improving technology capabilities.
• Rising Demand: He explained that the increasing use of artificial intelligence, data centres, electric vehicles and other advanced technologies will lead to a sharp rise in global demand for semiconductor chips in the coming years.
• Reliable Partner: Modi said that many countries are looking for trusted locations for semiconductor production and that India is working hard to become an important and dependable part of the global semiconductor supply chain.

Semicon 2.0 and Investment Push

• New Initiative: The Government of India has launched Semicon 2.0 as the next stage of the India Semiconductor Mission. The programme is aimed at strengthening every part of the semiconductor industry in the country.
• Investment Interest: Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that investment proposals worth nearly 11 to 12 billion US dollars have already been received under Semicon 2.0. These projects are expected to take shape over the next two to three years.
• Government Support: The Union Cabinet has approved Semicon 2.0 with a budget of ₹1.27 lakh crore. The funds will be used to support semiconductor manufacturing, research, innovation and workforce development.
• Six Focus Areas: The programme focuses on six important areas: chip design, semiconductor equipment and materials, fabrication plants, advanced packaging, research and development, and talent development.

Major Global Investments Announced

• Applied Materials Plan: Applied Materials, a leading semiconductor equipment company from the United States, announced that it plans to invest 5 billion US dollars in India over the next ten years. The investment will be used for research, supply chain expansion and training skilled workers.
• Strong Industry Interest: Many international semiconductor companies are showing interest in investing in India. Several firms are exploring opportunities in the country as they look to expand manufacturing and reduce dependence on traditional production centres.
• State-Level Efforts: States such as Karnataka and Odisha used the event to hold discussions with global companies and investors. Their goal is to bring more semiconductor and electronics manufacturing projects to their states.

Semiconductor Ecosystem Development

• Approved Projects: India has approved 12 semiconductor projects under the Semicon 1.0 programme. Out of these, three projects have already started commercial production.
• Research Assistance: The government is helping innovation in semiconductor technology by providing advanced design tools and support to more than 332 educational institutions and 105 startups across the country.
• Startup Support: A total of 24 startups have been approved under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme. These startups are working on developing technology solutions for important sectors and future applications.
• Skill Training: More than 70,000 engineering students have already received training related to semiconductor technology. This is part of India’s effort to create a skilled workforce for the growing industry.

Technology and Innovation Highlights

• New Products: L&T Semiconductor Technologies launched 40 semiconductor products during the event. These include the company’s first silicon carbide chip, which can be used in electric vehicles and power-related systems.
• Made-in-India Technology: The company also introduced a brushless DC motor controller that was completely designed in India. This reflects the country’s growing strength in semiconductor design and engineering.
• Complete Value Chain: A special “Sand to Silicon to Systems” experience has been created at the event. It shows how India is making progress in semiconductor design, manufacturing, packaging and electronics system development.

Key Announcements and Developments

• Investment Goal: The semiconductor mission aims to attract investments worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore over the coming years while increasing domestic manufacturing capacity.
• Job Creation: The programme is expected to create around one lakh jobs in semiconductor manufacturing, design, packaging, research and related industries.
• Education Drive: India plans to train more than one lakh technicians and engineers through partnerships with over 400 universities and educational institutions.
• Partnership Agreements: A total of 16 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed between Indian and international organisations. These agreements will support investment, technology sharing and business cooperation.

Significance for India’s Technology Future

• Global Ambition: SEMICON India 2026 reflects India’s goal of becoming a major centre for the semiconductor industry. The country is focusing on every stage of the semiconductor process rather than only chip manufacturing.
• Supply Chain Role: As companies around the world look for alternative locations for semiconductor production, India is trying to position itself as a trusted and dependable manufacturing destination.
• Economic Benefits: The growth of the semiconductor sector is expected to bring more investment, generate employment, encourage innovation and strengthen India’s technological capabilities.
• Future Growth: The government’s focus on manufacturing, research, innovation, skill development and international cooperation is expected to help India build a strong and competitive semiconductor ecosystem in the years ahead.

Important Questions

1. What was the main theme of SEMICON India 2026?
2. How many companies and countries participated in SEMICON India 2026?
3. What are the six key focus areas of the Semicon 2.0 programme?
4. What investment announcement was made by Applied Materials during the event?
5. How many semiconductor projects have been approved under the Semicon 1.0 programme?

Conclusion

SEMICON India 2026 has become an important step in India’s efforts to build a strong semiconductor industry. With major investments, government support, international partnerships and skill development programmes, the country is steadily moving towards becoming an important player in the global semiconductor sector and strengthening its position in the technology and manufacturing world.