New Delhi, Oct 31: India is working towards establishing itself as a globally competitive and technologically self-reliant semiconductor powerhouse by 2047, with a particular focus on next-generation chip technologies, indigenous research and the development of a sustainable domestic semiconductor ecosystem, the Defence Ministry has said.
The long-term ambition reflects India’s growing emphasis on strengthening its technological capabilities as semiconductors become increasingly important for economic development, national security, digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
According to the ministry, the country’s semiconductor vision includes developing leadership in selected advanced chip technologies, creating high-value employment opportunities and building an ecosystem capable of supporting innovation, industrial growth and wider societal benefits.
The announcement followed the participation of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from October 27 to 29.
The three-day event, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was organised jointly by 12 ministries and government departments under the guidance of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the government.
Held under the theme ‘Creative Minds, Catalysing Science, Empowering Society’, the conclave brought together scientists, researchers, policymakers, industry representatives, Nobel laureates, technology experts and emerging innovators to discuss developments in advanced science and technology.
The discussions covered several areas of emerging research, deep-tech innovation and technological development, with semiconductors and next-generation chips emerging as important areas of focus.
The DRDO, one of the key organisers of the event, led a dedicated thematic session on ‘Semiconductors and Next-Generation Chips’. The session was chaired by B K Das, Director General of Electronics and Communication Systems at the organisation.
It brought together representatives from industry, academia, indigenous chip-development companies and the defence electronics sector to examine emerging opportunities in semiconductor research and development.
Among the subjects discussed were purpose-built artificial intelligence system-on-chips, intelligence at the silicon edge and developments in the evolving microprocessor landscape.
The discussions also examined the importance of designing specialised processors capable of handling specific computing requirements, particularly as artificial intelligence applications become increasingly integrated into industrial, communication and defence systems.
The ministry said the session highlighted DRDO’s expanding role in supporting industries and startups working on advanced semiconductor technologies.
The organisation is seeking to encourage collaboration between research institutions, private companies and emerging technology enterprises to accelerate chip design, strengthen domestic capabilities and develop innovative solutions for future applications.
The government’s emphasis on semiconductors comes at a time when advanced chips have become essential components across a wide range of industries. Smartphones, computers, telecommunications equipment, automobiles, medical devices, satellites and modern defence platforms all depend on semiconductor-based technologies.
Their importance has increased further with the expansion of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, robotics, advanced communication networks and data-intensive applications.
Semiconductor technology also has strategic significance because countries increasingly view reliable access to chips as a matter of economic security and technological independence.
The Defence Ministry said semiconductors play a critical role in strengthening national sovereignty, economic resilience and digital security. Their applications extend from communication equipment and advanced sensors to sophisticated defence systems.
For India, developing domestic capabilities in this sector could help reduce dependence on external supply chains while supporting the country’s broader manufacturing and innovation ambitions.
However, becoming a major semiconductor power requires considerably more than establishing chip fabrication facilities.
The ministry highlighted the need to develop capabilities across the entire semiconductor value chain, including chip design, fabrication, testing, industrial-scale production and resilient supply chains.
Each of these stages requires specialised infrastructure, skilled professionals, advanced equipment, research investment and close cooperation between industry and scientific institutions.
Chip design, for instance, involves developing the architecture and electronic components that determine how processors function. Fabrication requires highly sophisticated facilities where integrated circuits are produced, while testing ensures that manufactured chips meet performance, reliability and safety requirements.
Developing these capabilities simultaneously remains a major technological and industrial challenge.
The government also sees an important role for research organisations and startups in building specialised semiconductor technologies rather than concentrating exclusively on large-scale commercial manufacturing.
The DRDO’s participation in the conclave demonstrated how defence research can contribute to the wider technology ecosystem.
The organisation showcased several indigenous technologies developed by its laboratories, including advanced communication systems, quantum technology prototypes, high-power pulse laser diodes and scramjet engine technology.
Other exhibits included extreme-cold-weather clothing, the PRABALA female full-body protector, passive and powered exoskeletons and portable hybrid energy management systems.
These technologies reflect the breadth of research being undertaken within India’s defence scientific establishment, covering electronics, advanced materials, energy systems, communications and aerospace applications.
The ministry said such research initiatives contribute to strengthening India’s technological foundation and supporting the development of indigenous solutions.
The semiconductor sector is particularly important for defence applications because modern military equipment increasingly depends on sophisticated electronic systems.
Advanced communication networks, surveillance platforms, navigation equipment, radar systems and precision-guided technologies require reliable semiconductor components.
Access to dependable chips can therefore improve the performance and reliability of defence equipment while reducing vulnerabilities associated with disruptions in international supply chains.
Artificial intelligence is another major area where specialised semiconductor development could provide significant advantages.
AI applications require powerful processors capable of handling large volumes of information and performing complex calculations. Purpose-built AI system-on-chips can be designed to perform specific tasks more efficiently, potentially improving computing performance and energy consumption.
Similarly, intelligence at the silicon edge involves processing information closer to the devices generating it, rather than transferring all data to distant computing facilities.
Such capabilities can be useful in autonomous systems, industrial equipment, communication devices and defence applications where speed, reliability and efficient data processing are important.
The ministry’s emphasis on these technologies indicates that India’s semiconductor ambitions extend beyond conventional chip production towards developing expertise in emerging areas of computing.
The 2047 target also connects the semiconductor programme with the broader national objective of building a developed and technologically advanced India.
Achieving this ambition will require sustained investment, research partnerships, industrial participation and the development of a skilled workforce.
Universities, technical institutions, research laboratories and private companies will have to work together to create the expertise needed for semiconductor design, manufacturing and testing.
The government has identified indigenous innovation as an important element of this process, with the DRDO expected to continue supporting industries and startups in developing advanced technologies.
While the ministry’s statement outlined the long-term vision, it did not specify a detailed production target or a fixed investment timeline for achieving semiconductor leadership by 2047.
The focus, however, is clear: India intends to strengthen its position across critical areas of semiconductor research and production while developing technologies that can support its economic, industrial and strategic requirements.
As global demand for advanced computing continues to expand, the country’s ability to build a dependable semiconductor ecosystem could become an important factor in its technological competitiveness over the coming decades.