India's Semiconductor mission: Ministry forms advisory committee

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has formed an advisory committee of experts to carry forward the country's vision of making India a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, design and innovation.

Manufacturing of semi-conductors in India:

• The Union Cabinet in December, 2021 has cleared the Semicon India Programme with a financial outlay of INR 76,000 crore for the development of semiconductors and display manufacturing ecosystems over the next six years.
• A specialised and dedicated “India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)” has been set up within Digital India Corporation to drive India’s strategies for developing semiconductors and display ecosystem.
• The scheme has been aimed at making India a global electronics hub as a shortage of microchips hurts industrial production.

Advisory Committee

• The newly created Advisory Committee will help the ISM executives achieve their goals in a systematic, efficient, and strategic manner.
• It is also said that the committee will also offer advice and recommendations on how to build a long-term semiconductor and display ecosystem in India.
• The advisory group of experts comprises senior government officials, established academicians, as well as industry and domain experts.
• The Committee's mission is to provide critical inputs for building a resilient supply chain, promoting investments, financing mechanisms, global engagement, research and innovation, and IP generation for the semiconductors and display ecosystem, as well as enabling an ecosystem that supports startups and MSMEs.

India Semiconductor Mission:

• India Semiconductor Mission(ISM) is a specialised and independent business division within the Digital India Corporation (a not for profit company set up by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology).
• Aim: To build a vibrant semiconductor and display ecosystem to enable India’s emergence as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design.
• The mission is authorised to negotiate with the applicants under the semiconductor fab scheme and the display fab scheme.
• This mission has been given the autonomy to decide the appropriate technology mix, applications, node generation, capacity and propose the structure and quantum of fiscal support for the selected applicants.