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In an address delivered at the IESA Vision Summit 2024 in Bengaluru, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar offered profound insights into the government’s ambitious vision for the electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
In a significant move towards shaping the future of the sector, the Minister unveiled pivotal initiatives that not only signify a strategic shift but also embody the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration through technology-driven approaches.
Minister Chandrasekhar’s address highlighted the transformative nature of the announced initiatives, indicating a paradigm shift in the approach towards the electronics manufacturing landscape. The government’s dedication to innovation and collaboration was underscored as the Minister outlined strategic measures aimed at propelling the sector towards a more technologically advanced and collaborative future.
Minister Chandrasekhar unveiled two major initiatives set to transform India’s Electronics & IT sector. The first, Digital India futureLABS, is poised to be a collaborative platform involving government labs, Indian startups, large enterprises, and corporations in the electronics space, along with Tier 1 suppliers and automotive industrial platforms.
The initiative focuses on designing and innovating systems for the future, with an emphasis on sectors like Automotive, Mobility, Compute, Communication, Strategic Electronics, and Industrial IoT.
The Digital India futureLABS initiative aims to establish a research and innovation framework that promotes leadership in standards, IPs, systems, and platforms. With C-DAC as the nodal agency, it seeks to strengthen the domestic innovation ecosystem by fostering collaboration among startups, multinational corporations, research and development institutions, and academia. The focus areas include Automotive, Mobility, Compute, Communication, Strategic Electronics, and Industrial IoT.
“We will soon launch the India Semiconductor Research Centre, serving as a hub for semiconductor innovation across all spectrums that will drive future systems,” Minister Chandrasekhar revealed.
This announcement marks a significant stride towards bolstering India’s semiconductor capabilities, aligning with the government’s vision for a robust and self-reliant electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
Elaborating on the government’s vision, Minister Chandrasekhar emphasised the government’s commitment to expanding the semiconductor ecosystem. As a logical extension of India’s thriving innovation ecosystem, these initiatives are poised to redefine national ambitions in the electronics manufacturing domain.
“This deep tech initiative ensures that future systems meet the performance requirements driven by increased digitisation for consumers, enterprises, and governments worldwide. The focus covers the entire spectrum, including automotive, computer, wireless telecommunication, industrial applications, IoT, and strategic technologies,” he explained.
The India Semiconductor R&D Committee presented Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar with a strategic roadmap for the India Semiconductor Research Center (ISRC) in October of the previous year.
Expressing appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the India Semiconductor R&D Committee members, Minister Chandrasekhar said, “After months of dedicated research, the India Semiconductor R&D Committee has laid out a roadmap for ISRC, realising the nation’s vision for the semiconductor ecosystem. This institution will be a core player in India’s growing capabilities in semiconductors, akin to the pioneering roles of IMEC, NanoTech, ITRI, and the MIT Micro-electronic labs in the world’s cutting-edge technologies.”
Aligned with the government’s commitment and a substantial investment of Rs 76,000 crore (US$ 10 billion), the ISRC envisions becoming a world-class research institution focusing on semiconductor processes, advanced packaging, compound semiconductors, and Fabless design and EDA tools.
Minister Chandrasekhar highlighted ISRC as a pivotal step in India’s graded approach towards global semiconductor leadership, fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government to transform India’s academic institutions into globally competitive entities.
These announcements signal a transformative phase, aiming to create a dynamic and self-sufficient electronics landscape, fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth.
