Semicon India 2024 and ITSI Fund

• 16 Sep 2024

Source: ET

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)

1. India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units.
2. 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)