India has achieved a significant milestone by ranking third globally in the number of research papers published on chip design and fabrication between 2018 and 2023, according to the Emerging Technology Observatory maintained by Georgetown University, U.S. During this period, Indian researchers contributed 39,709 publications, accounting for 8.4% of the global total, surpassing countries like Japan, South Korea, and Germany.
China leads the global rankings with 160,852 research papers (34% of the global total), followed by the United States. India’s research output in this domain saw a remarkable 26% increase, driven by enhanced government support, including a substantial ₹2,000 crore investment in semiconductor research and development. Despite this progress, challenges remain, such as low citation rates per paper and limited access to advanced design software due to high licensing costs. Experts emphasise that while India excels in back-end processes of chip design, there is a pressing need to develop product-level design capabilities and indigenous software solutions.
The Indian government has approved investments exceeding $15 billion for new semiconductor plants in Gujarat and Assam. These initiatives are designed to enhance India's capabilities in chip fabrication and advanced packaging technologies.
Indian professionals constitute 19% of the global semiconductor workforce, underscoring the country's talent pool. However, a skills gap persists, with projections indicating a potential labour shortage of 8 million by FY 2027-28.
Global companies like Qualcomm have expanded their operations in India, investing ₹1.77 billion in new design centers and supporting initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Design in India.’ These collaborations are vital for bridging gaps between academic research and industry requirements.
While India's achievements in chip design research are commendable, challenges such as limited research impact and restricted access to crucial design tools remain significant hurdles. Addressing these issues will require targeted investments in education, skill development, and local software innovation. Additionally, aligning academic programs with industry demands is critical to sustaining growth in the semiconductor sector.
India's ambition to become one of the top five semiconductor manufacturers globally within the next five years is supported by strategic initiatives like production-linked incentives (PLIs) and partnerships with global companies. As geopolitical tensions drive diversification away from China, India is well-positioned to emerge as a key player in the global semiconductor supply chain.
