Semiconductor Mission

The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) has recently approved four additional semiconductor manufacturing projects in the states of Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh. This is part of the government's push to strengthen India's position in the global electronics and semiconductor manufacturing industry.

About the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

• Establishment: ISM is a specialized institution under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), functioning as a part of the Digital India Corporation.

• Purpose: ISM's primary goal is to develop a vibrant semiconductor and display ecosystem in India, helping the country become a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design.

• Responsibilities: ISM is empowered with both administrative and financial authority to drive the semiconductor ecosystem in India, including the areas of manufacturing, packaging, and design.

• Advisory Board: ISM has an advisory board that consists of global experts in the semiconductor industry, providing guidance for effective implementation.

Key Objectives of ISM

• Catalyze India’s semiconductor ecosystem across manufacturing, packaging, and design.

• Serve as the nodal agency for the Semicon India Programme, ensuring smooth and efficient implementation of schemes for the development of India’s semiconductor industry.

• Provide financial support to companies investing in semiconductor and display manufacturing.

Semicon India Programme

Launched in 2021, the Semicon India Programme aims to make India self-reliant in semiconductor manufacturing and is backed by a financial outlay of ?76,000 crore.

The key goals of the programme include:

1. Financial Support: Offering incentives to companies that invest in semiconductor, display manufacturing, and design.

2. Indigenous IP Generation: Promoting the development of indigenous intellectual property (IP) and encouraging the Transfer of Technologies (ToT) in the semiconductor domain.

Four Schemes Under Semicon India Programme

1. Semiconductor Fabs Scheme: For the establishment of semiconductor fabs (fabrication units) in India.

2. Display Fabs Scheme: Aimed at setting up display fabs to enhance the local production of displays.

3. Compound Semiconductors/Silicon Photonics/Sensors Scheme: This focuses on setting up compound semiconductors, silicon photonics, sensors fabs, and Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP) units.

4. Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme: Encouraging and incentivizing semiconductor design in India, facilitating the growth of the design ecosystem.

Impact of ISM

• The India Semiconductor Mission will help the country reduce its dependency on imported semiconductors and create a self-sustaining supply chain.

• It will not only cater to the domestic demand but also position India as an attractive destination for global semiconductor manufacturing.

• The approved projects will stimulate economic growth, job creation, and technological innovation within the states of Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh.