India’s public policy think tank NITI Aayog released a 65-page roadmap in May 2026, outlining a strategy to build a $120 billion to $150 billion semiconductor value chain by 2035 through targeted design and manufacturing leadership.
Strategic focus areas
The report identifies mature-node logic, specialty analog and mixed-signal chips, and compound semiconductors—specifically silicon carbide and gallium nitride—as critical to India’s economic growth and strategic autonomy. These segments align with India’s existing strengths in chip design talent, skilled workforce, and materials chemistry ecosystem.
India aims to become a global leader in semiconductor design and system architecture, a top-three destination for outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) and advanced packaging, and a trusted supplier of wide-bandgap and advanced packaging materials. The report states India should “set standards, shape supply chains and create enduring global dependence, rather than limit itself to mere participation.”
Why this effort differs from past attempts
EE Times has documented India’s semiconductor ambitions for years, often noting repeated false starts. Senior India correspondent Yashasvini Razdan, in a recent fireside chat, explained why the current push appears more credible.
Key differentiators include a shift from assembly to product development, overlapping government incentives under the India Semiconductor Mission, and smart commercial strategies such as focusing on mature nodes suited to India’s domestic market. Global geopolitical alliances, including the Tata-ASML partnership for India’s first 300-mm fab, add further momentum.
Grassroots talent and inclusivity
Razdan also highlighted grassroots efforts to build a sustainable talent pipeline. Initiatives include expanding early access to technology for students and increasing opportunities for women in the industry. These programs aim to address the chronic skills shortage that has hindered previous semiconductor initiatives.
Forward-looking conclusion
India’s 2035 roadmap represents a more pragmatic and strategically focused approach than earlier attempts. By concentrating on design leadership, niche manufacturing, and materials self-sufficiency, India is positioning itself as a serious contender in the global semiconductor supply chain. Success will depend on execution, sustained investment, and continued geopolitical alignment—but the foundation laid in this report is the most concrete yet.
