Chips are foundational infrastructure of 21st century
As global semiconductor supply chains are being reshaped by geopolitics, technology shifts and the race for trusted capacity, India has a historic opportunity to move from being a large semiconductor market to becoming a critical node in the global value chain, according to NITI Aayog report on the fast-emerging industry.
Against this backdrop, NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub released on 29 May India’s first comprehensive 10-year roadmap – “Future of India’s Semiconductor Industry”.
Developed in deep consultation with some of the best minds from industry and government, the roadmap lays out a clear, actionable vision for India to build a US$120–$150 billion semiconductor value chain by 2035, says the roadmap unveiled by Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Railway-IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Anchored in India’s strengths in design talent, innovation capability, growing domestic demand, electronics manufacturing and materials, the roadmap is built around five mutually reinforcing pillars: Pioneering frontier R&D and design IP; Policy and Investment to mobilise long-horizon capital; Production focused on advanced packaging and compound semiconductors; People across the full semiconductor talent pyramid; and Partnerships with trusted nations and global industry.
Across these pillars, it sets clear goals, including positioning India as a leading global destination for advanced packaging and OSAT, emerging as a major supplier of wide-bandgap semiconductors, building leadership in compound semiconductor manufacturing, strengthening frontier design capabilities, and creating more than 100 advanced semiconductor design IPs.
The roadmap directly reinforces the priorities announced under the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 in the Union Budget 2026 and marks India’s shift from ecosystem creation to ecosystem deepening — from attracting investments and building foundational capacity to developing deeper capabilities across design, materials, manufacturing, packaging, talent, R&D and trusted global partnerships.
Sitharaman elaborated on the report, “The NITI Frontier Tech Hub’s roadmap, ‘Future of India’s Semiconductor Industry’ is a clear declaration of India’s intent to move decisively from being a major consumer of chips to becoming an indispensable part of the global semiconductor value chain.
“Semiconductors are the foundational infrastructure of the 21st century. They power AI, electric mobility, telecommunications, defence systems, healthcare technology, digital public infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. The roadmap released today rightly focuses on future segments where India can build strong positions: advanced packaging, compound semiconductors, wide-bandgap materials, and AI-native chip design. With this focused strategy, long-term perspective and sustained commitment, India is well placed to seize this historic opportunity.”
Vaishnaw, also Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, added, “Semiconductors will define the next era of economic and technological leadership, and India is positioning itself as a trusted partner in that journey. Our focus is on building the full ecosystem — design, talent, materials, equipment, fabs and advanced packaging — so that global companies and partner countries can look to India as a dependable, long-term pillar of the semiconductor supply chain.
“With ISM 2.0, design is our clear number one priority. We are strongly supporting Indian design companies so that their innovations can be manufactured and scaled right here in India. As the Prime Minister guided us, this is a 20-year journey. It is central to our technological sovereignty and strategic autonomy as we build Viksit Bharat 2047.”
NITI Aayog, Vice Chairman Ashok Lahiri continued, “One of the biggest risks India carries today is its dependence on technology controlled by others. Sovereignty in this century will begin with the infrastructure layer, and semiconductor leadership is part of that foundation. The NITI Frontier Tech Hub roadmap matters because it sets out a clear ambition for India and a practical path to get there.”
“Semiconductors are a long-cycle industry. The capabilities that will define leadership in 2035 have to be anticipated, planned and built today. This roadmap is therefore not just about responding to current demand; it is about identifying where technology value is moving and making deliberate choices on where India can build enduring advantage,” said Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog.
“Our focus has been to create a practical ten-year pathway that helps India move beyond participation to strategic depth — across design, advanced packaging, compound semiconductors, talent, R&D and ecosystem readiness. In frontier technologies, timing matters. Countries that plan early, invest consistently and build capabilities patiently are the ones that lead.”
The NITI Frontier Tech Hub was created as an action tank for Viksit Bharat to anticipate emerging mega-technology shifts and shape India’s preparedness to unlock their potential for faster economic growth, inclusive societal outcomes, and strategic resilience—advancing the country’s journey towards becoming a frontier-technology nation. Collaborating with over 100 experts from government, industry, and academia, the Hub is shaping a 10-year roadmap across critical to harness frontier technologies for economic growth, societal outcomes, and strategic resilience. Fiinews.com
