India to Launch Semicon 2.0 Program, Says Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 11: The central government will soon unveil the Semicon 2.0 program, which will have a much-expanded scope compared to the previous program, announced Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Wednesday during the Semicon India 2024 event.
“We are now formulating the Semicon 2.0 program, which will be a much-expanded form of Semicon 1.0,” Vaishnaw told reporters, adding that the first phase of the program is largely complete. “Semicon 2.0 may be unveiled in three to four months. The second phase will focus on the complete value chain,” the minister said.
The Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India (Semicon 1.0) was notified on December 21, 2021, with a total outlay of Rs 76,000 crore. Vaishnaw noted that the best part about India is that the entire semiconductor ecosystem is coming to the country. Global industry leaders are applauding India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem, he said.
The minister also announced that the upgrade plan for the semiconductor lab in Mohali is ready and will be taken up in the Cabinet soon. The government has so far approved five semiconductor units in India, with construction underway in two sites. In June 2023, the Union Cabinet approved a proposal for setting up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat. In February 2024, three more semiconductor units were approved – two in Gujarat and one in Assam. Earlier this month, the government approved the proposal of Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd to set up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat. They have already made a cumulative investment of almost Rs 1.5 lakh crore.
American chip maker Micron’s high-end semiconductor fabrication plant at Gujarat’s Sanand, which is India’s first, is coming up at a rapid pace. It is expected to be operational in late 2024. The minister said that there are many proposals under evaluation, including for Uttar Pradesh. “After evaluation, we will take them to cabinet for approvals,” he said.
With India’s electronics sector now valued at over USD 150 billion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the same event earlier today, outlined a larger goal to take the country’s electronics sector to USD 500 billion and create 6 million jobs by the end of this decade. “Our goal is that 100 per cent of electronic manufacturing should happen in India. India will make semiconductor chips and the finished product too,” PM Modi said.
Doubts Revealed
Semicon 2.0 -: Semicon 2.0 is a new program by the Indian government to help make more computer chips, which are tiny parts used in electronic devices like phones and computers.
Union Minister -: A Union Minister is a person in the Indian government who is in charge of a specific area, like education or health. Ashwini Vaishnaw is the Union Minister talking about the Semicon 2.0 program.
Ashwini Vaishnaw -: Ashwini Vaishnaw is a leader in the Indian government who helps make important decisions about technology and communication.
Central government -: The central government is the main government of India that makes decisions for the whole country, not just one state or city.
Value chain -: The value chain includes all the steps needed to make a product, from getting raw materials to making the final product and selling it.
Semiconductor units -: Semiconductor units are factories where computer chips are made. These chips are used in many electronic devices.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the leader of India. He makes important decisions for the country and wants to grow India’s electronics industry.
USD 500 billion -: USD 500 billion is a very large amount of money, equal to 500,000 million US dollars. It shows how big the electronics industry could become in India.
6 million jobs -: 6 million jobs means creating work for 6 million people, which is a lot of new opportunities for people to earn money and support their families.
