Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the fifth edition of SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi on 17 September, marking a significant milestone in India's accelerating push to establish itself as a credible force in the global semiconductor and electronics manufacturing landscape. The three-day event, running from September 17 to 19, comes as India deepens its chip ambitions backed by strong policy momentum and rising global demand for supply-chain diversification.

Who Is Organising the Event

The conference and exhibition is being jointly organised by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and SEMI, the global industry association representing semiconductor design and manufacturing. Held under the theme 'Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem', the event is designed to connect the full breadth of the chip value chain — from raw materials and equipment to chip design and end-use systems.

Scale and Participation

SEMICON India 2026 is expected to draw semiconductor companies, policymakers, investors, researchers, start-ups, academic institutions and global industry leaders under one roof. More than 600 exhibitors — including approximately 300 international companies — will participate across 15,000 square metres of exhibition space, while over 150 speakers are scheduled across conference sessions. The exhibition will feature six country pavilions and 12 state government pavilions, reflecting both India's federal ambition and the international community's growing interest in the country's chip ecosystem.

Key Attractions This Year

A standout feature of the 2026 edition is the 'Sand to Silicon to Systems' Value Chain Experience, which offers visitors an end-to-end perspective spanning raw material sourcing through chip fabrication to advanced packaging and final electronics assembly. Approximately 40 start-ups will demonstrate their technologies at a dedicated Startup Pavilion, while a Workforce Development Pavilion will spotlight talent pipelines, skill-building and career pathways in microelectronics. The event will also host a startup pitch competition, a student hackathon and an innovation showcase — providing platforms for emerging entrepreneurs and researchers to present cutting-edge ideas.

Conference Agenda and Policy Discussions

The conference programme includes keynote addresses, panel discussions and strategic sessions covering semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, supply-chain resilience, advanced packaging, materials and equipment, chip design, research and development, and talent creation. Six international country roundtables are scheduled to facilitate cross-border collaboration and potential partnerships. Dedicated sessions on women's leadership, workforce development and industry association cooperation will focus on bolstering India's broader electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM) sector.

Why It Matters for India's Semiconductor Strategy

This comes amid a period of unprecedented global interest in semiconductor supply-chain resilience, as geopolitical tensions between the US and China continue to reshape how nations and companies source chips. India, through the ISM and a multi-billion-dollar incentive programme, has positioned itself as an alternative manufacturing hub. Modi's presence at the inauguration underscores how firmly chips have been placed at the centre of India's industrial and geopolitical strategy. With the first domestic fabrication projects beginning to take shape, SEMICON India 2026 arrives at a moment when industry observers will be closely watching for concrete announcements on investment timelines and government support measures.