India’s First Commercially Fabricated Chip to Be Unveiled by September-October: IT Minister

Bengaluru: India’s first domestically manufactured semiconductor chip from a commercial fabrication unit is set to debut between September and October this year, according to Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The announcement was made during a press conference in Bengaluru, where he highlighted key developments in the country’s semiconductor and tech ecosystem.

Tata Electronics, in collaboration with Taiwan-based Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC), is spearheading India’s semiconductor fabrication efforts. The duo is currently setting up the nation’s first chip-making plant in Dholera, Gujarat, a significant step toward India’s goal of achieving self-reliance in semiconductor manufacturing.

Boost to Gallium Nitride Research

As part of its broader semiconductor push, the central government has allocated Rs 334 crore to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru for research and development in gallium nitride (GaN) technology. GaN is a critical material in semiconductor applications, particularly in telecommunications and power electronics, due to its efficiency in high-power and high-frequency operations.

Vaishnaw emphasized the strategic importance of GaN, stating that India has the potential to make significant advancements in this niche segment. According to IISc, the material offers cost-effective alternatives to silicon-based foundries, and its faculty has successfully developed India’s first e-mode GaN power transistor, achieving performance on par with leading global benchmarks.

PLI Scheme for Semiconductor Components in the Pipeline

The minister also revealed that the government will soon introduce a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme aimed at bolstering domestic component manufacturing.

The scheme is expected to accelerate investments and support companies involved in chip packaging and component production.

AI Push: 18,693 GPUs Empanelled Under IndiaAI Mission

In a major development for India’s artificial intelligence (AI) sector, Vaishnaw announced that a dedicated portal for graphics processing units (GPUs) will be launched under the IndiaAI Mission within the next week. This initiative aims to provide AI researchers with access to high-end computing power, which is crucial for training advanced machine learning models.

Under the IndiaAI Mission, the government has empanelled a total of 18,693 GPUs, including 12,896 H100 GPUs, 1,480 H200 GPUs, and models such as MI 325 and MI 300x. These cutting-edge processors will significantly strengthen India’s AI research and foundational model development, positioning the country as a key player in the global AI landscape.

Growing Investments in Electronics Manufacturing

India has witnessed investments amounting to Rs 13,162 crore in the electronics manufacturing sector in recent months, with more deals in the pipeline, Vaishnaw stated. He also highlighted that semiconductor design tools are now being made available to students across 234 universities, fostering a new generation of skilled engineers in chip design and development.

With these developments, India is making rapid strides in semiconductor and AI technology, laying the foundation for a robust digital infrastructure in the years to come.