By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : September 02, 2025 1:56 pm
India’s smallest chip will drive the world’s biggest change very soon
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Semicon India - 2025’, aimed at catalysing India’s Semiconductor ecosystem, at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi today.
Noting the presence of semiconductor sector experts from across the globe, with representation from over 40 to 50 countries, Modi said: “The World trusts India, the World believes in India and the World is ready to build the Semiconductor Future with India”.
Remarking that in the world of semiconductors, it is often said, ‘Oil was black gold, but chips are digital diamonds’, the Prime Minister stated that oil shaped the previous century, and the fate of the world was determined by oil wells.
The global economy fluctuated based on how much petroleum was extracted from these wells. However, he emphasized that the power of the 21st century is now concentrated in the small chip. Though tiny in size, these chips possess the potential to accelerate global progress significantly.
Modi highlighted that the global semiconductor market has already reached $600 billion, and in the coming years, it is expected to surpass $1 trillion. He expressed confidence that, given the pace at which India is advancing in the semiconductor sector, India will hold a significant share in this $1 trillion market.
Modi recalled that in 2021, the Semicon India programme was launched. He added that by 2023, India’s first semiconductor plant had been approved, in 2024, several more plants received approval and in 2025, five additional projects were cleared. He further stated that in total, ten semiconductor projects are now underway, involving an investment of over more than Rs. 1.5 lakh crore.
Emphasizing that India’s semiconductor success story is not confined to a single vertical or a single technology, Modi stated that India is building a comprehensive ecosystem—one that encompasses designing, manufacturing, packaging, and high-tech devices, all within the country. He clarified that the Semiconductor Mission is not limited to establishing a single fab or producing a single chip. Rather, India is creating a robust semiconductor ecosystem that will make the nation self-reliant and globally competitive, he added.
Underlining another key feature of India’s semiconductor mission, Modi said that the country is advancing in this sector alongside the world’s most advanced technologies. He stated that India’s focus is to empower emerging technologies through chips manufactured domestically.
The Prime Minister noted that design centers being developed in Noida and Bengaluru are working on some of the world’s most advanced chips—capable of storing billions of transistors. He emphasized that these chips will power the immersive technologies of the 21st century.
Addressing the challenges faced by the global semiconductor sector, the Prime Minister affirmed that India is actively working to overcome them. He remarked that while towering buildings and impressive physical infrastructure are visible in cities, their foundation lies in steel. Similarly, the foundation of India’s digital infrastructure is built on critical minerals. Modi stated that India is currently working on the National Critical Mineral Mission and is committed to meeting its demand for rare minerals domestically. He added that over the past four years, significant progress has been made on critical minerals projects.
Underscoring that the government envisions a significant role for start-ups and MSMEs in the growth of the semiconductor sector, the Prime Minister highlighted that India contributes 20 percent of the world’s semiconductor design talent, and that the country’s youth represent the largest human capital factory for the semiconductor industry.
Addressing young entrepreneurs, innovators, and start-ups, Modi urged them to come forward, assuring that the government stands shoulder to shoulder with them. He emphasized that the Design Linked Incentive Scheme and the Chips-to-Startup Programme are specifically designed for them. He also announced that the Design Linked Incentive Scheme is being restructured to better serve its objectives. The Prime Minister stated that the government is committed to developing Indian intellectual property (IP) in this sector. He added that the recently launched National Research Fund will also support this effort through strategic tie-ups. Noting that several states are actively
“India has reached this stage by following the mantra of Reform, Perform, and Transform. A new phase of next-generation reforms will soon be initiated”, stated the Prime Minister affirming that work is underway on the next phase of the India Semiconductor Mission.
Addressing all investors present, he expressed India’s readiness to welcome them with an open heart and said, “Design is ready. Mask is aligned. Now is the time for precision execution and delivery at scale”. He emphasized that India’s policies are not short-term signals but long-term commitments and assured that every investor's needs will be met.
“The day is not far when the world will say: Designed in India, Made in India, Trusted by the World”, said the Prime Minister. He concluded by expressing his wish that every bit of India’s efforts be successful, every byte be filled with innovation, and the journey remain error-free and high-performance.