Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that India’s first domestically manufactured semiconductor chip will reach the market by December 2025, a landmark step in the country’s push for technological self-reliance. Speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum, Modi also revealed that India is fast-tracking the rollout of its homegrown 6G network.
“By the end of this year, the first Made in India chip will come in the market,” the Prime Minister said, acknowledging that India had missed opportunities to build a semiconductor industry decades ago. “We all know that semiconductor manufacturing could have started in India 50–60 years ago, but India missed that too,” he added.
Semiconductor Mission Accelerates
The announcement comes as India’s semiconductor ecosystem gains momentum under the government’s India Semiconductor Mission. Earlier this month, the Union Cabinet approved four new projects worth ₹4,594 crore ($524 million), taking the total number of sanctioned facilities to 10 across six states.
Together, these projects represent investments of nearly ₹1.60 lakh crore ($18.23 billion) and are expected to create more than 29,000 skilled jobs. Among the upcoming facilities is India’s first commercial silicon carbide semiconductor fabrication plant, being set up by SiCSem.
Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada confirmed that “the first packaged chip is expected to be out by December 2025,” marking a clear timeline for India’s long-awaited semiconductor debut.
Beyond Chips: EVs and 6G
Modi also outlined broader ambitions in emerging technologies. He announced that India will begin exporting electric vehicles to 100 countries, with a major program set for launch on August 26. Meanwhile, work on a domestically developed 6G network is moving ahead at pace.
“India is now going to export electric vehicles to 100 countries of the world,” he said, stressing that advanced technology and clean energy will be key pillars of India’s global footprint.
Economic Foundation
The Prime Minister credited India’s macroeconomic stability for enabling such large-scale initiatives, noting that the fiscal deficit is projected to fall to 4.4% despite pandemic shocks. He projected that India would contribute around 20% to global economic growth in the coming years.
The semiconductor drive, in particular, is seen as a strategic priority—reducing import dependence and positioning India within a global semiconductor market expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030.
