Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday, 18 September 2026, revealed that 68 Japanese companies attending Semicon India 2026 in Mumbai are actively finalising their manufacturing, research, and partnership plans in India. The disclosure underscores accelerating foreign confidence in India's semiconductor ecosystem at one of the sector's most significant global gatherings.

Scale of International Participation

Vaishnaw, speaking during a visit to the Japanese pavilion at the event, noted that more than 30 countries are participating in Semicon India 2026 — a sign, he said, of growing global interest in India as a semiconductor destination. 'Here at the Japanese pavilion, there are 68 Japanese companies. They are finalising their plans for manufacturing, research and partnerships in India,' the Minister said. Japan's presence is particularly significant given its depth in advanced chip packaging, materials, and equipment — areas where India's own ecosystem remains nascent.

Student-Designed Chip Steals the Show

Among the highlights of the Minister's visit was a semiconductor chip developed entirely by students of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela in Odisha. Vaishnaw said the chip was designed under the talent development programme of India's Semiconductor Mission and that the student team had already presented their work directly before Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The chip was displayed to the media during Vaishnaw's interaction at the event, drawing wide attention as a tangible symbol of homegrown capability.

Odisha's Pride in Indigenous Innovation

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed pride at seeing indigenous chip designs from NIT Rourkela exhibited alongside Made-in-India semiconductor chips. Majhi said the achievement demonstrated the 'talent, innovation and research capabilities' of institutions in his state and congratulated the scientists, researchers, and the entire NIT Rourkela team. He credited Prime Minister Modi's leadership and Vaishnaw's efforts for India's progress toward a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem.

High-Skill Jobs and Talent Development

Vaishnaw also highlighted the enthusiasm among young professionals at the event, saying that India's semiconductor push is creating a significant pipeline of high-skilled employment. The Semiconductor Mission's talent development programme — of which the NIT Rourkela chip is an early output — is designed to build indigenous design and fabrication expertise, reducing India's long-standing dependence on imported chips. Notably, this comes as global chip supply chains continue to restructure post-pandemic, with multiple governments competing to attract semiconductor investment.

What Comes Next

With 68 Japanese firms in the finalisation stage for India-based operations, concrete partnership and investment announcements could follow in the weeks ahead. Industry observers note that Japan's involvement could accelerate India's access to specialised chip-manufacturing equipment and materials, complementing the investments already announced under the Semiconductor Mission. The broader trajectory suggests India is moving from being a semiconductor consumer to positioning itself as a credible node in the global chip supply chain.