From Design to Talent: India's Roadmap to a Full-Stack Semiconductor Ecosystem

India's semiconductor goals have now transformed from statements of intent to outcomes. The recent announcement of a 3nm semiconductor chip designed in India marks the first major entry for the country into the realm of advanced semiconductor design. While the attention is on the chip, it is also about the rich pool of Indian talent, and the enhanced support ecosystem that is, and will be, needed to sustain and to grow these accomplishments.

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In a written response to the Lok Sabha on July 25, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Shri Jitin Prasada, has outlined a vision that provides serious, national, and multi-pronged effort to create a complete, end-to-end semiconductor ecosystem in India, including talent development, infrastructure support, design incentives and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities.

A 3nm Milestone: Designed in India

India's announcement of a 3nm chip designed on home soil is a landmark moment. It not only validates the technical competence of Indian design teams but also highlights the increasing role of India's chip design centers in the global semiconductor supply chain. With nearly 20% of the world's chip design engineers based in India, the country is already a design powerhouse. Major players like Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, NVIDIA, and MediaTek have long relied on Indian R&D hubs. This latest 3nm development demonstrates that India is capable of contributing to cutting-edge nodes, not just mature technology.

Building a Skilled Workforce: India's Talent Push

Recognizing that human capital is the foundation of any semiconductor success story, the Government of India has launched a host of talent development initiatives, ensuring that the workforce keeps pace with the industry's evolution.

AICTE’s Revamped Curriculum

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has introduced new course modules focused on VLSI Design & Technology and Integrated Circuit (IC) Manufacturing — ensuring that future graduates are equipped with relevant, industry-ready skills.

85,000 Skilled Professionals in the Pipeline To meet future demand, the Government aims to develop 85,000 skilled professionals for the semiconductor design sector. These individuals will gain access to Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools to facilitate real-world chip design experience.