Explained: SEMICON India 2025 and India’s Chip Ambitions

Explained: SEMICON India 2025 and India’s Chip Ambitions

SEMICON India 2025 highlights India’s move from design to manufacturing. This report explains feasibility, risks, and why semiconductors remain wise bets in the quantum era.

New Delhi (ABC Live): SEMICON India 2025 (2–4 September, Yashobhoomi, New Delhi) was not just another trade show. It became the first real test of India’s semiconductor mission, moving beyond policy talk into actual production milestones. With 350 exhibitors from 48 countries and over 35,000 registrations, the event showed India’s growing place in the global chip race.

This report looks at the key announcements, the investment pipeline, and the feasibility of India’s semiconductor ambitions. It also explains why semiconductors remain a wise investment, even in the era of quantum computing.


Why ABC Live is Publishing This Report Now

  • Because India has moved from plans to pilot results. The first OSAT pilot in Sanand has already begun packaging chips.

  • Because the global chip race is intensifying. The U.S., EU, China, and now India are competing for supply-chain security.

  • Because public debate needs facts. Many reports repeat government claims; this article provides data-based analysis instead.

  • Because investors and policymakers must know. Clear feasibility checks are essential before billions are spent.


Highlights of SEMICON India 2025

Numbers that matter

  • 350 exhibitors, 48 countries, 35,000 registrations, 30,000 footfalls, and 25,000 online viewers.

  • 20+ MoUs covering design, packaging, materials, and skills.

The Vikram-32 Processor

  • Developed by ISRO’s Semiconductor Laboratory, Mohali.

  • India’s first 32-bit space-grade microprocessor, radiation-tolerant and already tested on PSLV-C60.

  • A national milestone; however, it targets space and defence rather than commercial consumer chips.

Key announcements and MoUs

  • Tata Electronics × Merck: Deal to secure chemicals, sub-fab services, and safety systems for Tata’s fab in Dholera (?91,000 cr).

  • India Deep-Tech Alliance: $1B fund for startups.

  • Fujifilm Electronic Materials: Exploring a plant in India.

  • Tokyo Electron: Expanding to Dholera and Assam.

  • Jacobs Engineering: Investing in long-term fab projects.

  • Tata × C-DAC: Linking design with manufacturing.


India’s Semiconductor Pipeline (2024–26)

Project Type Location Capex Status
Tata–PSMC 300 mm Fab Dholera, Gujarat ?91,000 cr Construction with supplier MoUs.
CG Semi OSAT Sanand, Gujarat ?7,600 cr Pilot line live (Aug 2025); chips expected soon.
TSAT ATMP/OSAT Assam ?27,000 cr Phase-1 commissioning by Apr 2026.
Kaynes Semicon ATMP/OSAT Sanand, Gujarat ?3,307 cr Pilot line operational.
Micron ATMP Sanand, Gujarat ?22,516 cr Phase-1 ramp underway.

As a result, India now has both assembly and fab projects moving in parallel.


Policy Tailwinds

  • SEZ Amendments (June 2025): Minimum land for semiconductor SEZs cut to 10 hectares, easier sales into domestic tariff areas.

  • ISM Agreements (2025): Signed with Tata and CG Power.

  • Skills: A new Workforce Pavilion and university MoUs underline the focus on training.

Therefore, India is making its regulations more flexible while trying to build talent pipelines.


Feasibility Analysis

Market feasibility

  • Global semiconductor sales: $728B in 2025 (+15.4%) and $800B in 2026 (+9.9%).

  • Equipment sales: $125.5B in 2025, with backend test equipment growing fastest (+23%).

  • Focus area: India’s fabs target mature nodes (auto, power, industrial) worth over $60B globally.

Hence, demand exists and aligns with India’s chosen segment.

Utilities feasibility

  • Fabs need 100–200 MW power and multi-MGD ultrapure water.

  • Dholera has a 400 kV line, substations, and a 50 MLD water plant connected to Narmada canals.

  • However, matching utility readiness with fab ramp remains the main risk.

Financial feasibility

  • Revenue: 60k wafers/month at $3,200 each ? $2.3B per year.

  • Energy cost: ~$100M per year at ?8/kWh.

  • But, yield learning (12–24 months) will decide profitability.

Risk factors

  1. Utility delays.

  2. Yield slippage.

  3. Export-control restrictions.

  4. Skilled workforce gaps.

  5. Sub-fab and environmental cost escalations.

Therefore, execution discipline will determine success.


Semiconductors vs Quantum Computing

Data

  • Semiconductors (2025): $728B sales, $125B equipment.

  • Quantum (2025): <$1B revenue, ~$2B startup funding.

  • Quantum (2035): $28–72B projected market, still <10% of semis.

Analysis

  • Quantum will complement, not replace classical chips.

  • Every quantum machine still depends on semiconductor-based control electronics and packaging.

  • Moreover, global industry is investing more in semiconductors today while keeping quantum as a parallel bet.


Conclusion

SEMICON India 2025 proved that India is moving from ambition to execution. OSAT lines are live, fabs are under construction, and suppliers are investing. Policies are more flexible, and talent programs are being launched.

Nevertheless, challenges remain—utility reliability, yield learning, and workforce training. If India manages these well, SEMICON India 2025 will be remembered as the start of India’s silicon era.

For investors, semiconductors remain wise bets through the 2030s, while quantum computing is a long-term complement.


Sources (copy-paste ready)

  1. WSTS Semiconductor Market Forecast 2025

  2. SEMI Mid-Year Equipment Outlook 2025

  3. India Semiconductor Mission – SEMICON India 2025 Wrap

  4. Press Information Bureau – SEMICON India 2025

  5. NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography Standards

  6. McKinsey Quantum Computing Report 2025

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