Can Semicon 2.0's design-focused approach make India a genuine semiconductor player?
India has approved Semicon 2.0, a new phase of its semiconductor programme focused on chip design, intellectual property, and system design, building on the earlier ₹76,000 crore fabrication-focused first phase. By April 2026, 75 institutions had completed tape-outs of 211 chip designs, with seven chips manufactured across different technology nodes including 12 nanometres. Design capability is a real milestone, but converting design strength into a full manufacturing ecosystem remains a much larger undertaking.
75 institutions had completed tape-outs of 211 chip designs by April 2026, with seven chips manufactured at various nodes including 12 nanometres.
Semicon 2.0 specifically targets design, IP, and system-level capability rather than large-scale fabrication expansion.
Chip design capability and full-scale manufacturing ecosystem maturity are different achievements, and India remains earlier-stage on the latter.