Why in the news
The government said the first indigenous chip will appear in 2025, while data shows imports of chips climbing steeply.
Key facts
- Under construction: Tata ATP facility at Morigaon and the Dholera fab by Tata Electronics with Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation.
- Main suppliers over ten years: China (except FY19), Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan.
- Monolithic ICs’ share of imports: 0.19% (FY16) to 2.09% (April-November FY25).
| Semicon India Programme | Budgeted | Revised | Spent |
|---|
| FY23 | ₹200 crore | – | ₹13 crore |
| FY24 | ₹3,000 crore | ₹1,503 crore | ₹681 crore |
| FY25 | ₹6,903 crore | ₹3,816 crore | – |
| Import item | Rise since FY16 |
|---|
| Monolithic ICs | 2,000% |
| Memory chips | 4,500% |
| Amplifiers | 4,800% |
Concerns
- Strength lies in assembly, testing and packaging, but gaps remain in EDA software, core IP, wafers, fab tools and advanced design.
- Better programme execution is needed to cut import reliance.
Exam angle
- EDA = Electronic Design Automation.