- Why in news
- On 29 May 2026, NITI Aayog's Frontier Tech Hub released "Future of India's Semiconductor Industry", a 10-year roadmap. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled it.
- What it is
- This is NITI Aayog's first comprehensive 10-year roadmap for India's semiconductor sector, prepared by its Frontier Tech Hub. It moves the focus from building a basic chip ecosystem to deepening capability in design, materials, packaging and talent. It supports the priorities set for India Semiconductor Mission 2.0.
- Issuing body
- The roadmap comes from NITI Aayog's Frontier Tech Hub. It is described as India's first comprehensive 10-year semiconductor roadmap.
- 2035 target
- The roadmap sets out a vision for a USD 120-150 billion semiconductor value chain by 2035.
- Five pillars
- The pillars are R&D and design IP, policy and investment, production (advanced packaging and compound semiconductors), people, and partnerships.
- Goals
- Goals include making India a leading destination for advanced packaging and OSAT, a major supplier of wide-bandgap semiconductors, and creating over 100 advanced semiconductor design IPs.
- Link to ISM 2.0
- The roadmap reinforces the priorities announced for India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 in Union Budget 2026. It marks a shift from ecosystem creation to ecosystem deepening.
Don’t confuse with OSAT vs fab: OSAT means outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing, the packaging end of the chain. A fab makes the wafers. The roadmap stresses advanced packaging, not only fabs.
Don’t confuse with Compound vs wide-bandgap semiconductors: Compound semiconductors combine two or more elements, such as gallium arsenide. Wide-bandgap semiconductors, such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride, are a group that largely overlaps with them.
Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.
Why it matters
- Reduces import dependence in a technology tied to defence, telecom, AI and digital infrastructure.
- Gives long-term direction to ISM 2.0, with focus on design and niche segments where India can lead.
Problems
- Chip manufacturing needs long-horizon capital, scarce skills and reliable water and power.
- Global supply chains are shaped by geopolitics and export controls, and incumbents are far ahead.
Way forward
- Back Indian design firms and link design to domestic manufacturing.
- Build talent across the full pyramid and partner with trusted nations.
Put in your answer
Roadmap target: USD 120-150 billion semiconductor value chain by 2035, built on five pillars.
Policy shift: India is moving from ecosystem creation to ecosystem deepening under ISM 2.0.
- 2025Mains GS3 · Q16Semiconductor industry challenges and India Semiconductor Mission features
- 2026Prelims Q83Which semiconductor plant–location pair is not correctly matched?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: First 10-year roadmap; related to the India Semiconductor Mission already on file. Reports are asked mostly for publisher, and this is a niche one.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.