New Delhi is gearing up to train over one lakh semiconductor design engineers over a period of five years, as part of its ambitious plan called Semicon 2.0. The initiative aims to build a robust talent pool in the field of advanced chip technologies and manufacturing, which will be crucial for India's growing push into the global semiconductor market.

The government has already made significant progress with the first phase of the programme, under which around 85,000 engineers have been trained in semiconductor design, exceeding its original timeline. The next phase of the semiconductor mission will focus on research and development (R&D) towards 7nm-3nm technologies, moving beyond the earlier emphasis on capabilities up to 28nm.

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Electronic and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed confidence that major global semiconductor equipment makers will establish a presence in India over the coming months, bringing parts of their supply chains with them. This move is expected to create opportunities for domestic companies and MSMEs to supply precision components used in chipmaking equipment.

Additionally, Semicon 2.0 will widen the design-linked incentive framework, supporting larger Indian companies as well as those owned

At the manufacturing end, the government has reduced central fiscal support for new silicon fabs to 40% of eligible expenditure from 50% under the earlier scheme. This cut reflects greater confidence among investors about setting up semiconductor manufacturing in India.

The move is seen as a significant boost to the country's efforts to become a major player in the global semiconductor industry.

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The government's skilling push under Semicon 2.0 is part of its broader strategy to build a robust ecosystem for advanced chip technologies and manufacturing. With the aim of creating a self-sustaining ecosystem, the government plans to train one lakh semiconductor design engineers over the next five years.

This will not only help India tap into the growing demand for semiconductors but also enable it to become a significant player in the global supply chain.