PM Modi highlights the evolution of India’s chip programme, calling for stronger design capabilities, domestic supply chains and next-generation technologies
GTNS , SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 , NEW DELHI — India’s semiconductor push entered a new phase on Thursday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the fifth edition of SEMICON India 2026 at Yashobhoomi, placing the country’s transition from policy formulation to manufacturing and ecosystem development at the centre of the national technology agenda.
Addressing industry leaders, technology professionals, young participants and other delegates, Modi traced the evolution of the SEMICON India programme since its launch in 2022. He pointed to the progression from policy discussions and project preparation to pilot production and the emergence of commercial manufacturing capabilities.
BUILDING AN ECOSYSTEM BEYOND FABRICATION
The Prime Minister underlined that semiconductor manufacturing is only one part of a much larger technology chain. Developing a competitive ecosystem requires capabilities spanning chip design, equipment, testing, packaging, materials and electronics systems.
He also emphasised the role of fabless semiconductor companies and intellectual property creation, indicating that India’s ambitions extend beyond manufacturing facilities to the design and technology capabilities that underpin the global chip industry.
Another area highlighted in the address was silicon photonics, a technology relevant to high-speed data movement and emerging computing infrastructure, including systems being developed for artificial intelligence.
FROM SILICON TO SYSTEMS
The broader direction of SEMICON India 2026 is reflected in its theme, “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem.” The three-day event, being held from September 17 to 19, brings together companies, investors, policymakers, researchers, startups and academic institutions from across the semiconductor and electronics value chain.
More than 600 companies and representatives from 52 countries are participating, with country pavilions from Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore and Sweden. The programme also includes international roundtables, a startup pavilion, innovation showcases and workforce-development initiatives.
SUPPLY-CHAIN DEPTH BECOMES THE NEXT CHALLENGE
The government has been expanding policy support for semiconductor fabs, advanced packaging, silicon photonics and related facilities, while also seeking greater domestic production of components and materials. Official background material identifies deeper domestic manufacturing and stronger supply-chain resilience as key priorities for the next stage of development.
Against this backdrop, SEMICON India 2026 is serving as a meeting point between India’s emerging manufacturing capacity and the wider global semiconductor industry.
The event’s central message is increasingly about building the complete chain — from semiconductor design and materials to fabrication, packaging, electronics and finished systems — as India seeks a larger role in the global technology economy.