New Delhi: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) spearheaded initiatives that secured Rs 1.29 lakh crore in semiconductor manufacturing investments while achieving a global milestone with the AIRAWAT supercomputing platform ranking 75th on the Top 500 Global Supercomputing List.
These developments, alongside strides in AI governance, robotics, and digital literacy, position India as a global technology landscape leader.
Semiconductor Manufacturing: A Quantum Leap
Under the ambitious Semicon India Programme, the central government approved four semiconductor manufacturing units with a combined investment of Rs 1,29,537 crore. Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) alone accounted for Rs 91,526 crore for its semiconductor fab facility in collaboration with Taiwan’s PSMC, boasting a production capacity of 50,000 wafer starts per month.
Additionally, TEPL committed Rs 27,120 crore for an OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) facility using indigenous packaging technology, with a daily production capacity of 48 million units.
Other projects included CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited’s Rs 7,584 crore OSAT facility in Tamil Nadu and Kaynes Technology India Limited’s Rs 3,307 crore OSAT setup in Gujarat. Collectively, these projects are expected to generate thousands of jobs and significantly enhance India’s self-reliance in electronics manufacturing.
Furthermore, under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme, 24 companies, including Saar Microsystems and DV2JS Innovations, were sanctioned incentives to foster a robust semiconductor design ecosystem.
AI Leadership and Global Partnerships
India’s AIRAWAT AI supercomputing infrastructure, with a computing capacity of 200 petaflops, propelled the country into the global AI supercomputing elite. The platform aims to advance research in industries, academia, and critical areas like healthcare and agriculture.
The AIRAWAT initiative complements the IndiaAI Mission, which maintains a consolidated database of 2,806 research articles, 472 AI startups, and 184 government-led AI initiatives.
India also hosted the 6th Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Ministerial Council meeting in New Delhi, focusing on ethical AI and innovation for inclusion. During the meeting, India outlined plans to lead in AI governance, emphasizing transparency, inclusivity, and equitable growth.
Bridging Digital Divides with Skill Development
Digital literacy saw unprecedented growth under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA), which trained 6.39 crore individuals, surpassing its target.
A special focus was placed on marginalized communities in aspirational districts, where 18,209 youths received targeted skill development training. These efforts have empowered rural populations to access and utilize digital resources for employment, education, and entrepreneurship.
Strengthening Digital Infrastructure
The Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0) Scheme made significant strides, approving four new projects with investments totalling Rs 21,451 crore. These projects are expected to generate over 75,000 jobs and attract global companies like First Solar, TDK India, and Bosch.
The infrastructure includes facilities for assembly, testing, and packaging of high-demand electronics, setting the stage for India to enhance its exports and domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Driving Innovation in Robotics and AI
MeitY launched the National Program on Artificial Intelligence to focus on AI ethics, governance, and skill development. As part of its long-term strategy, an inter-ministerial committee was formed to build a robust robotics ecosystem in India.
A detailed IndiaAI report, released earlier this year, provided actionable recommendations on leveraging AI and robotics for economic and social transformation, including applications in healthcare diagnostics, predictive analytics, and smart city infrastructure.
Additionally, MeitY’s efforts extended to innovation in cybersecurity, where India ranked 6th globally in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index. The Sanchar Sathi portal, another key initiative, showcased its effectiveness in preventing cyber fraud and enhancing citizen services. The platform facilitated the recovery of Rs 1,000 crore worth of lost funds and blocked over 52 lakh fraudulent SIM cards by October 2024.
As the year drew to a close, India’s technology landscape transformed, with progress in semiconductors, AI, and digital empowerment. The IT ministry’s strategic initiatives not only bolstered domestic manufacturing but also established India as a pivotal player in the global technology arena, setting the stage for continued innovation and leadership in the years to come.
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