India's Techade: Chips for a Developed India (Viksit Bharat) Program

Launched in March 2024, India's Techade is a bold initiative by the Indian government to establish the country as a major player in the global semiconductor industry. This program goes hand-in-hand with the vision of "Developed India" by 2047, aiming to achieve self-reliance and technological prowess.

Key features of India's Techade:

• Focus on Semiconductor Manufacturing: The initiative places a central emphasis on developing an ecosystem for domestic semiconductor fabrication, assembly, and testing. This reduces dependence on foreign chip imports and strengthens national security.

• Multi-crore Investment: The program plans a massive investment of Rs 1.25 lakh crore (USD 15.6 billion) to establish three major semiconductor facilities across India. These facilities include:

  • A fabrication unit in Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), Gujarat
  • Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facilities in Sanand, Gujarat and Morigaon, Assam

• Nationwide Effort: "India's Techade" is envisioned as a collaborative effort. The government actively seeks participation from academia, research institutions, and private industries to create a skilled workforce and foster innovation in chip design and production.

• Universities Involved: Universities and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across India play a crucial role. They are encouraged to organize seminars and discussions to spread awareness about the program and its significance in achieving "Developed India."

Expected Benefits:

• Job Creation: The semiconductor industry is a major job generator. This initiative has the potential to create countless job opportunities across various fields like engineering, manufacturing, and research.

• Technological Advancement: Domestic chip production will empower India to develop indigenous technologies and cater to the growing demands of the digital age. This includes advancements in Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and other critical areas.

• Economic Growth: A strong domestic semiconductor industry can significantly reduce reliance on imports, improve trade balance, and propel overall economic growth.

Looking Ahead:

India's Techade is a significant step towards establishing India as a self-reliant nation in the technological sphere. The success of this program hinges on collaborative efforts, continuous research & development, and skilling the workforce to face future challenges. For instance, a strong educational foundation will ensure India has a pool of skilled engineers and scientists capable of creating new chip designs and refining manufacturing processes. Likewise, robust partnerships between the public and private sectors will guarantee efficient allocation of financial resources and technological expertise to achieve India's Techade vision.