India has 12 semiconductor units with $20 billion investment, Semicon 2.0 to drive next phase: Vaishnaw

India has 12 semiconductor units with around $20 billion in investment and three already producing chips, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday. Vaishnaw announced the progress in a post on X, highlighting the shift from policy approvals to actual manufacturing since the Semicon India programme launched in 2022. The minister said the government learned from past attempts and focused on a clear policy framework and stronger execution. He noted the recent approval of Semicon 2.0, signalling the intention to build on the first phase of the programme. Vaishnaw responded to a post referencing AMD's failed 2005 plan to invest $3 billion in a fabrication plant in India, stating the current effort is just getting started. Semiconductor chips are critical inputs for automobiles, smartphones, electronics, telecommunications equipment, defence systems and emerging technologies. India aims to reduce vulnerabilities from dependence on overseas supply chains by establishing itself as a major semiconductor manufacturing and technology hub. The next phase will focus on expanding manufacturing capacity and deepening the domestic ecosystem.