Hon. Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the new office of ARM, a company that is involved in semiconductor design, in Bengaluru today. The minister said that the “most advanced chips used in AI servers, drones, mobile phones chips of 2 nm will be designed here”.
Speaking after the inauguration, Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the new Bengaluru unit of ARM will design chips including 2 nm chips for various electronic products, including mobile phones. He called this a significant milestone in India’s semiconductor journey.
The minister said, “Our objective is to design and manufacture semiconductors, along with the equipment and materials required for them.” This is a very long visionary process and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided clear guidance on this. With a vision for the next 20 years in the semiconductor sector, our youth and talented engineers will get the best opportunities in the world.”
The minister added that the growth in electronics manufacturing is doubling the demand for semiconductor chips. Highlighting India’s achievements in the semiconductor sector, the minister stated that electronics manufacturing has increased six-fold in the last 11 years. It is currently an industry worth of ₹11.5 lakh crore. Exports have increased eight-fold. Electronics are becoming major export products for India.
This journey, which began with the assembly of mobile phones and laptops, is now moving towards the production of their models, components, and finished products. He said that we are moving forward in this journey in a very systematic way. The semiconductor sector is growing into a trillion-dollar industry and the need for talent is equally important. This is an opportune time. For this, 278 institutions and universities are working and their students are engaged in the design and innovation of semiconductor chips. Currently, 28 chips designed by students from 25 institutions have been taped out. We have practically completed the first version of India’s Semiconductor Mission and are now heading towards the second version.
This will focus on the production of equipment and materials required for semiconductor chips. Earlier during the day, the minister held a discussion on the manufacturing of high precision components used in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Carborundum Universal Ltd (CUMI) showcased some of the materials which go into the making of equipment for manufacturing the semiconductors.
