Cabinet Approves Semicon 2.0: India’s Semiconductor Manufacturing Push

Cabinet Approves Semicon 2.0: India's Semiconductor Manufacturing Push — Semicon 2.0 Pillars

Cabinet Approves Semicon 2.0: India’s Semiconductor Manufacturing Push

Relevance for UPSC & State PCS: Polity & Governance

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved Semicon 2.0 with a budget of 1,27,500 crore rupees, demonstrating the government’s commitment to providing continuous and long-term policy support for semiconductor industries in the country. This initiative builds upon the momentum generated by Semicon 1.0, aiming to position India prominently on the global semiconductor map. The overarching goal is to holistically develop a semiconductor ecosystem based on six key pillars: design, machines and materials, establishing more fabs, strengthening the ATMP/OSAT industry, research and development, and talent development. This comprehensive approach underscores a strategic vision for self-reliance and technological leadership in a critical sector.

Semicon 2.0’s focus on strengthening the design ecosystem, where 105 startups have already begun developing chips, aims to establish India as a leading nation in semiconductor chip design IP. Furthermore, the emphasis on incentivizing companies involved in R&D for semiconductor manufacturing machines, materials, chemicals, and gases will lay the foundation for sustainable growth and the development of a precision manufacturing industry. The strategy also seeks to attract more manufacturers to set up various types of fabs, including silicon, compound semiconductor, discrete component, and display fabs, with the first fab expected to be operational by 2028, reflecting growing global confidence in India’s semiconductor strategy.

The program also prioritizes strengthening the ATMP/OSAT industry by actively encouraging advanced ATMP technologies in India, which is now seen as an alternative location for these units. Significant attention is also being given to R&D, moving towards more advanced nodes and technologies in collaboration with leading national and international research centers, building on the journey that began with 28nm-110nm nodes. Talent development is another crucial pillar, with 315 universities already training approximately 68,000 students in complex chip design using EDA tools, and further intensification of college-level training and industry involvement in clean room and fab construction training. This multi-pronged strategy is expected to drive economic growth across all sectors, strengthen supply chains, enhance national security, and establish technological leadership in vital areas.

For UPSC and State PCS aspirants, this development is highly relevant under Polity & Governance, specifically concerning industrial policy, technological self-reliance, and economic development. It highlights the government’s proactive role in fostering strategic industries through long-term policy commitments and substantial budgetary allocations. Questions may arise on the ‘Make in India’ initiative, its impact on critical sectors, and the role of public-private partnerships in achieving technological sovereignty. Furthermore, the six pillars of Semicon 2.0 offer a framework to analyze comprehensive policy-making, covering aspects from R&D and manufacturing to human resource development and intellectual property. The progress of Semicon 1.0, with 12 manufacturing units and 24 design projects approved, including commercial production by Micron, Kens

Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)

Practice Questions

Q1. Which of the following best describes the recent approval by the Cabinet regarding the semiconductor industry?

  1. It focuses on short-term subsidies for import of semiconductors.
  2. It aims to provide long-term policy support for semiconductor industries within the country.
  3. It primarily addresses the export of finished semiconductor products.
  4. It is a temporary measure to counter global supply chain disruptions.
Answer

It aims to provide long-term policy support for semiconductor industries within the country. — The story title ‘मंत्रिमंडल ने सेमीकॉन को मंजूरी दी – सरकार ने देश में सेमीकंडक्टर उद्योगों को दीर्घकालिक नीतिगत समर्थन देने की अपनी प्रतिबद्धता पूरी की’ explicitly states that the government has fulfilled its commitment to provide long-term policy support to semiconductor industries in the country.

Q2. What is the primary objective of the government’s recent approval concerning the semiconductor sector?

  1. To establish India as a global leader in semiconductor research and development.
  2. To ensure self-sufficiency in the production of raw materials for semiconductors.
  3. To provide sustained policy backing for the growth of domestic semiconductor industries.
  4. To attract foreign investment solely for the assembly of semiconductor components.
Answer

To provide sustained policy backing for the growth of domestic semiconductor industries. — The story clearly indicates that the government’s commitment is to provide ‘दीर्घकालिक नीतिगत समर्थन’ (long-term policy support) to ‘देश में सेमीकंडक्टर उद्योगों’ (semiconductor industries in the country), which translates to sustained policy backing for domestic industry growth.


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