Semicon Urges Comprehensive Approach to Electronics

· Rapid ecosystem expansion: India’s electronics and semiconductor sector is entering a new phase with rising investments, expanding manufacturing capacity and increasing participation by global companies.

· Need for coordinated industry action: Industry leaders emphasized that the next phase cannot be driven by any single segment. Semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, components, materials, design, packaging and end-use applications are increasingly interdependent.

· SEMICON India 2026 panel: The issue was discussed at the panel “Industry Associations Advancing India’s National Agenda” during SEMICON India 2026, moderated by Amitesh Kumar Sinha, CEO, India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).

· Whole-of-industry approach: Industry associations discussed moving towards a more coordinated approach in which different associations retain their specialized roles while collaborating on issues affecting the wider ecosystem.

· Technology convergence: Chips increasingly derive value through integration into devices, products and systems, making linkages between chip fabrication, materials, equipment, packaging, testing and electronics manufacturing more important.

· Permanent collaboration mechanism proposed: Industry leaders discussed creating a more permanent community mechanism to maintain dialogue among associations beyond individual conferences and facilitate coordinated action on national priorities.

· “Silicon to Systems” vision: The discussion reinforced a broader approach in which design, semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, electronics and technology solutions operate together to create a resilient and globally competitive ecosystem.

· SEMICON India 2026 scale: The event brought together 600+ exhibitors, including nearly 300 international companies, highlighting growing global interest in India's semiconductor and electronics sector.

· Industry announcements: The event recorded 56 MoUs, strategic initiatives and industry announcements covering manufacturing, design, packaging, AI, R&D, logistics and skilling.

· Government support: The government is supporting ecosystem development through initiatives including the PLI schemes and India Semiconductor Mission.

· Semiconductor projects: The government has approved 12 semiconductor projects under the Semicon India programme. According to the supplied text, five commercial semiconductor units were already operational as of September 2026.

Key Takeaway

India's semiconductor strategy is increasingly moving beyond simply establishing fabrication and manufacturing facilities toward creating an integrated “Silicon to Systems” ecosystem, linking design, materials, components, fabrication, packaging, electronics and end-use applications. Industry-wide institutional collaboration is emerging as a central theme for the next phase of growth.

<Press Note>

[ABS News Service/23.09.2026]

India’s electronics and semiconductor sector is entering an exciting new chapter. With major investments flowing in, manufacturing capacities expanding, and global companies increasing their presence, the ecosystem is growing at an unprecedented pace. As the industry scales up, leaders are increasingly advocating for a stronger, more coordinated approach among industry bodies to transform individual strengths into a collective national capability.

A key message emerging from industry leaders is that the next stage of growth cannot be driven by any single segment alone. Semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, components, materials, design, packaging and end-use applications are becoming increasingly interdependent. Success, therefore, will depend not only on technological capabilities and infrastructure but also on the industry’s ability to work together.

This spirit of collaboration was at the heart of the panel discussion, “Industry Associations Advancing India’s National Agenda,” held during SEMICON India 2026. Moderated by Shri Amitesh Kumar Sinha, CEO, India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) the session brought together senior representatives from leading industry associations to discuss how deeper collaboration can help accelerate India's semiconductor and electronics ambitions.

The discussion reflected a growing consensus that the industry must move towards a more coordinated, “whole-of-industry” approach. Participants noted that while individual associations represent different segments of the ecosystem, they are ultimately working towards a common objective: building a globally competitive electronics and semiconductor sector in India.

A recurring theme during the discussion was the increasing convergence across technology sectors. Chips today derive value not in isolation but through their integration into devices, products and systems. Advances in fabrication rely on supporting materials and equipment, while manufacturing depends on packaging, testing and broader electronics capabilities. This interconnected nature of the industry calls for stronger linkages and more structured collaboration across the value chain.

Another area of discussion was the need to sustain engagement beyond individual conferences and events. Industry leaders explored the idea of creating a more permanent community mechanism that can facilitate continuous dialogue, encourage coordination among associations and help drive collective action on matters of national importance.

The proposal is not about replacing the specialised role of existing associations. Instead, it seeks to build on their strengths by providing a common platform where they can collaborate on issues that cut across sectors and value chains. As India's ambitions evolve from establishing manufacturing facilities to building a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem, such institutional collaboration is increasingly being seen as a strategic necessity.

The discussion reinforced the broader “Silicon to Systems” vision, where design, manufacturing, packaging, electronics and technology solutions work in tandem to create a stronger and more resilient ecosystem. As India advances its semiconductor ambitions, industry leaders indicate that collaboration may prove to be just as important as capital investments and infrastructure development in shaping the next phase of growth.

Supporting this momentum, SEMICON India 2026 brought together more than 600 exhibitors, including nearly 300 international companies, showcasing the growing global interest in India's semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. The event also witnessed 56 MoUs, strategic initiatives and industry announcements across manufacturing, design, packaging, AI, R&D, logistics and skilling.

Government support continues to play a significant role in this transformation. Through initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and the India Semiconductor Mission, efforts are underway to strengthen domestic capabilities and build a robust manufacturing ecosystem. The Government has approved 12 semiconductor projects under the Semicon India programme, with five commercial semiconductor units already operational as of September 2026

Together, these developments underline a broader reality: India's semiconductor story is no longer just about building factories. It is increasingly about building connections across industries, institutions and technologies, with collaboration emerging as the foundation of the country's next phase of electronics and semiconductor growth.