Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, on February 7, 2026, launched Qualcomm’s 2 nanometre (nm) semiconductor chip in Bengaluru, marking a significant milestone in advanced semiconductor design and underscoring India’s growing role in global engineering and deep-tech innovation. Addressing industry leaders, academia and policymakers, the Minister said the world is looking at India with hope because of the country’s vast talent pool and added that the next level of technological achievement will come from India.
A Major Step in India’s Semiconductor Journey
Calling the moment a proud one for the country, Shri Vaishnaw said India believes in co-creating and co-developing technologies with the global community. He credited the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for opening a new chapter through the Semiconductor Mission, noting that India’s journey in this sector had long been delayed despite early interest from global pioneers in the 1960s.
He recalled that while earlier governments failed to recognise the strategic importance of semiconductor chips, the current policy approach has focused on building capabilities step by step—starting with 28 nm technology, which covers nearly 75% of requirements across automotive, telecom, power management and strategic sectors.
Rapid Progress: From Vision to Production
Highlighting the pace of development, the Minister said that 10 semiconductor units are currently under construction, and four have already started pilot production. These facilities are in the process of getting their products qualified and validated by customers, and India is expected to soon see its first commercial semiconductor fab in operation.
He described this progress as evidence that India is no longer just a consumer of advanced chips, but is steadily becoming a serious player in the global semiconductor value chain.
Building a Nationwide Talent Pipeline
Shri Vaishnaw emphasised that talent development is a central pillar of India’s semiconductor strategy. Since 2022, more than 315 universities across the country have adopted leading Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools from companies such as Synopsys, Cadence and Siemens.
Students, including those from remote universities and colleges, are now designing chips, getting them taped out, and validating them through real-world processes. According to the Minister, this is creating a strong and sustainable talent pipeline that will give India a long-term strategic advantage in chip design and deep-tech innovation.
India Semiconductor Mission 2.0: Three Clear Priorities
Looking ahead, Shri Vaishnaw announced that the government will soon roll out India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 with a sharper and more ambitious focus. He outlined three key priorities:
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Design-first approach: Supporting design companies and startups that can build products and take them to market.
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Full ecosystem in India: Bringing equipment manufacturers, chemical and gas suppliers, validation and testing facilities into the country to complete the value chain.
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Deeper talent capabilities: Moving from a wide talent base to higher-end skills, in partnership with universities, to develop sector-specific solutions.
He noted that while ISM 1.0 focused on setting up Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) facilities and kickstarting the ecosystem, ISM 2.0 will aim to make India a global hub for chip design, innovation and end-to-end semiconductor development.
5th Industrial Revolution and the India Opportunity
The Minister observed that as the 5th Industrial Revolution unfolds, it is essential for government, industry and academia to work together to create an environment where deep-tech innovation originates from India. He said India should aim not just to participate in global value chains, but to create higher value for the world through innovation-led solutions.
He also stressed the importance of upskilling and reskilling the workforce, calling on industry and academia to jointly design relevant curricula that prepare students and professionals for next-generation technologies.
Conclusion: Qualcomm’s 2 nm semiconductor chip
The launch of Qualcomm’s 2 nm semiconductor chip in Bengaluru marks a defining moment for India’s technology ecosystem. With rapid progress in manufacturing, a nationwide talent pipeline, and the upcoming ISM 2.0 focused on design, ecosystem depth and advanced skills, India is positioning itself as a global centre for deep-tech and semiconductor innovation. As Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw подчеркed, the future of high-end technology is not just being built for India—but in India, by India, and for the world.
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Source: PIB
