India is set to showcase its semiconductor ambitions next month with Semicon India 2026 featuring more than 500 exhibitors, over 290 international companies and delegations from more than 40 countries, according to Business Standard. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to chair a roundtable with global semiconductor CEOs on September 16, with the event running from September 17-19 at Yashobhoomi (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi. MeitY Secretary S Krishnan confirmed that the event comes as the first wave of semiconductor manufacturing facilities begins production in India, with Modi set to inaugurate the event on September 17. The government expects participation from most major global semiconductor companies, with strong delegations from Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and the Netherlands. Krishnan indicated that chip companies are expected to announce deals during SEMICON India, though the government is not setting an investment target for the event.
India is expected to add five to eight more semiconductor plants over the next seven to eight years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort. According to reports from Press Trust of India, Modi highlighted that three major semiconductor plants have already started operations, with production from these facilities also expected to be exported. The Prime Minister framed semiconductor manufacturing as the cornerstone of India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' mission, warning that no country can afford foreign dependence in an era driven by digital technology. As reported by Press Trust of India, Modi stated that "In today's digital world and technological landscape, we understand the immense importance of chips," pointing to their critical role in electronics, medical devices, and transit networks, adding that "Without them, the world would come to a standstill."
The three operational semiconductor plants are located in Sanand, Gujarat, and are involved in semiconductor assembly, testing and packaging operations. Micron operates an assembly, testing, marking and packaging (ATMP) facility, while Kaynes and CG Semi have outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) plants. Micron began commercial production in February 2026, followed by Kaynes on March 31, and CG Semi on July 4. According to the latest government status report, another approved unit is expected to begin production during 2026, with the programme's first silicon fabrication plant scheduled for commissioning in 2028. As reported by Press Trust of India, Modi confirmed that "Three semiconductor plants have started. I have been told that exports have started from the production that has commenced there." Of the 12 semiconductor plants approved under the current programme, three have started production, while another 2-3 facilities are expected to begin commercial production by the end of 2026, with the remaining facilities expected to come up during 2027 and 2028.
The government has rolled out the Semicon India Programme (Semicon 1.0), which was approved in December 2021 with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore. Building on this foundation, Semicon 2.0 has been approved in July 2026, with a total outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore. As many as 12 semiconductor projects have been approved across six states under Semicon 1.0, with investment commitments exceeding ₹1.64 lakh crore. Of the 12 approved proposals, three companies -- Micron, Kaynes, and CG Semi -- have already started commercial production. The Cabinet has also approved ISM 2.0, with guidelines expected to be issued shortly, the second phase expected to build on the manufacturing ecosystem being created through the first programme. Modi pointed to significant expansion in India's manufacturing capacity, stating that defence production has increased nearly fourfold, while electronic manufacturing has grown nearly sevenfold, mobile-phone production has risen 33-fold, and internet user base has quadrupled.
Citing deep structural reforms to support industrial expansion, PM Modi said thousands of compliance burdens have been eliminated and outdated laws repealed, arguing that modern governance cannot rely on regulations from the previous century. He highlighted acceleration in public infrastructure and basic amenities, including a 15-fold increase in the annual rate of tap-water connection provision and rapid expansion of urban metro networks and public housing. The government has launched the IndiaAI Mission with an outlay of ₹10,372 crore, expanding shared computer capacity to over 45,000 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) as of June 2026. By August 2026, 237 projects had accessed subsidised AI computing, covering 93.18 lakh GPU hours to support AI model development, training, testing and research. As of July 2026, the Indian government approved 13 responsible AI projects under the safe and trusted AI pillar of the IndiaAI Mission.
