Important Facts For Prelims
Semicon India 2024 and ITSI Fund
- 16 Sep 2024
- 4 min read
Why in News?
Recently, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated the Semicon India industry conference and highlighted India's growing partnerships with countries like the US, Japan and Singapore.
- In another development, the US and India collaborated under the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund to promote the development of a secure global semiconductor supply chain and telecommunications networks.
What is the Semicon India Conference?
- Semicon India 2024 was co-located with electronica and productronica India, creating the largest single event for electronics manufacturing in South Asia.
- Electronica and Productronica India are South Asia's leading trade fair for electronic components, systems, applications and solutions.
- It offered comprehensive exhibitions, insightful programs, and unmatched networking opportunities.
What is India's Vision for the Semiconductor Industry?
- India is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the global semiconductor industry and spearheading efforts to establish a robust and resilient global supply chain.
- India aspires to expand its electronics sector from the current USD 150 billion to over USD 500 billion by the end of the decade, with the goal of generating over 6 million employment opportunities in the process.
- India has become the eighth nation globally to host a congregation of the international semiconductor industry, marking a significant milestone in the country’s growing prominence in this strategic sector.
- India's strength is anchored in its threefold power which is a reform-oriented government, a growing manufacturing sector, and a technology-driven, aspirational society and market.
- India, with its talent pool, growing research investments, rising data centre demand, and green transition efforts is set to become a global semiconductor powerhouse.
- It aims to train 85,000 engineers and technicians over the next decade through strategic partnerships with 113 educational and research institutions.
- Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a semiconductor design hub and a leader in consumer electronics.
What is the ITSI Fund?
- The US is collaborating with the Government of India to expand and diversify the global semiconductor ecosystem through the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund (ITSI).
- The CHIPS Act created the ITSI Fund to secure and develop the global semiconductor supply chain and telecommunications networks.
- The initial phase involves a comprehensive review of India's semiconductor sector, focusing on Assembly, Testing, and Packaging (ATP).
- US-India cooperation aims to advance the global semiconductor supply chain and support digital transformation.
- The partnership will also address supply chain logistics and align technological goals with shared democratic values to ensure equitable benefits of digital advancements.
Government’s Initiatives for the Semiconductor Sector
- Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI)
- Digital RISC-V (DIR-V) program for the production of microprocessors.
- Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) for Semiconductors.
- Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme to train high-quality engineers.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements: (2018)
- India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units.
- The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (d)
