India Set to Launch First Indigenous Semiconductor Chip by 2025: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced on Thursday that India is on track to unveil its first indigenous semiconductor chip by the end of 2025. The chip, featuring 28-90 nm technology, is aimed at fulfilling nearly 60% of the global market's demand volume.

Indigenous Chip Manufacturing Begins to Bear Fruit

Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit, Vaishnaw highlighted the country's milestone in semiconductor technology.

“We targeted a particular segment, which has 60 per cent of market volume, using a focused approach,” said the minister.

“Today, we have six units under construction. The first Made-in-India chip of 28-90 nm will roll out this year. We started manufacturing in 2022,” he added.

🔬 H3: What is 28-90 nm Technology?

In semiconductor manufacturing, the nanometer (nm) scale refers to the size of transistors used on the chip. Smaller nm sizes enable higher density and better performance. The 28-90 nm range is especially relevant for sectors like:

• Automotive

• Telecommunications

• Power electronics

• Rail transportation

These chips are crucial for applications that don't necessarily need bleeding-edge miniaturization but require reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Manufacturing as the Engine of Economic Growth

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasized the necessity of nurturing both services and manufacturing sectors for India’s sustainable growth.

“Many top economists want us to focus on services. Manufacturing and services are both equally important for the next level of growth. We should increase our work wherever we get the opportunity. We should have our own IP, product, design, and standards,” he stated.

AI’s Transformative Role in the Indian Economy

Discussing the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the minister noted:

“We have experienced a big change due to AI, and it is here to stay,” Vaishnaw remarked.

“What the internet did for the world, a similar phenomenon will be brought forth by AI. We should be prepared for that change regardless of industry or sector. AI will bring a humongous change in our society and industry.”

India’s Own AI Models in Development

Vaishnaw pointed out the need to build AI systems trained on India’s languages, cultural nuances, and social contexts.

“We should have AI models that are reflective of Indian culture, nuances, languages, and social norms,” he emphasized.

“One of the first such models is being developed by Sarvam.”

Indian Railways Achieves Global Milestone

Also holding the Railways portfolio, Vaishnaw took the opportunity to showcase major progress made by Indian Railways.

“We have achieved a major milestone as we have become the second-largest cargo-carrying railway in the world, transporting 1,612 million tonnes of freight, overtaking the US and Russia,” he said.

“Our passenger-carrying capacity has also increased substantially. We have reached a level where dreams are being fulfilled and goals are being achieved. We are moving in a steady direction in railways; more industries must join.”

Encouraging Startups in Rail Innovation

Vaishnaw added that India's move to integrate startups into the railway ecosystem is yielding significant results.

“We are now bringing a new policy where we can test a new innovative idea and then scale it up based on the test results,” he stated.

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for India’s Tech & Infrastructure Journey

The announcement of India’s first indigenous semiconductor chip marks a historic milestone in the country’s journey toward technological self-reliance and economic resilience. With six semiconductor units under construction and a targeted rollout by the end of 2025, India is steadily positioning itself as a global semiconductor hub.

Simultaneously, the government’s proactive approach in AI innovation, infrastructure expansion, and policy support for startups underscores a holistic vision for national growth. From powering the digital future with homegrown chips to leading global freight railways, India is laying a strong foundation for the next decade of transformation.