Sanand (Gujarat), March 31 (NationPress) Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Tuesday that four semiconductor plants are slated to be operational in India by 2026. This statement came after the unveiling of a new facility in Gujarat, highlighting an expedited roadmap for the semiconductor sector.

Following the inauguration of Kaynes Semicon's OSAT plant in Sanand by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vaishnaw stated: "By 2026, four plants will be ready, with two more anticipated in 2027. Additionally, India’s inaugural fabrication unit is set to launch in Dholera by 2028."

This Sanand facility marks the country's second semiconductor plant to be inaugurated in rapid succession, Vaishnaw pointed out.

He noted, "The first Micron Technology plant was inaugurated on February 28, and today, March 31, we witness the inauguration of the second plant. The third unit is scheduled for unveiling in July."

Reflecting on the swift execution, Vaishnaw emphasized that the facility transitioned from construction to commercial production in just 14 months.

He expressed that this progress showcases the advancing capabilities of India's semiconductor ecosystem, inspiring engineers and students nationwide.

Regarding global competitiveness, the minister remarked: "Our success hinges on quality and cost; achieving this will ensure our sustainability and position on a global scale."

Vaishnaw mentioned that the semiconductor initiative is supported by the development of a comprehensive ecosystem, encompassing machinery, chemicals, gases, and testing infrastructure.

"Approximately 60,000 young engineers have been educated in specialized global tools such as Synopsys and Cadence," he stated.

According to Vaishnaw, these engineers, sourced from 315 universities, are actively involved in chip design.

"Chips created by these young talents are currently being produced in a laboratory in Chandigarh," he added.

He also noted that global companies such as Nvidia, AMD, and Intel are conducting advanced chip design projects in India.

"Highly intricate 2-nanometre chips are being designed right here in India," he remarked, reiterating: "Our vision is to design in India and manufacture in India."

As for future directions, Vaishnaw stated: "Under Semicon 2.0, the Prime Minister has mandated that the complete ecosystem—machines, gases, and chemicals—must be available within India."

He expressed that the country aims to rank among the top six semiconductor nations by 2032 and the top three by 2047.

Gujarat's Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel commented that the state is progressing in technology-centric sectors under the Prime Minister’s guidance.

"Sanand and Dholera are poised to become a semiconductor valley," he stated.

He also mentioned that Gujarat's youth will play a crucial role in fulfilling the demand for skilled labor in fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and deep technology.

“Gujarat is evolving into a hub for AI, semiconductors, green hydrogen, and renewable energy,” Patel remarked.

The Chief Minister highlighted ongoing initiatives, such as the establishment of an Advanced Material Centre and the introduction of semiconductor-related programs in educational institutions.

Furthermore, he pointed out improvements in logistics infrastructure and noted that the state implemented its semiconductor policy in 2022 to establish Gujarat as a technology center.