As per resources, the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and US President Joseph Biden have recently announced a ‘New Semiconductor Plant’ to function in India at Kolkata. According to a White House statement, both leaders praised this landmark agreement which aims to create a facility focused on advanced sensing, communication, and power electronics, essential for national security, next-generation telecommunications, and green energy applications.

The plant will be developed with the backing of the India Semiconductor Mission and a strategic technology partnership involving Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the U.S. Space Force.

The GlobalFoundries Kolkata Power Center is expected to foster collaborative research and development in chip manufacturing, paving the way for significant advancements in zero and low-emission vehicles, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, artificial intelligence, and data centers.

The White House also noted GlobalFoundries’ intentions to pursue long-term cross-border manufacturing and technology partnerships with India, which would create high-quality job opportunities in both nations.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari both thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden after they announced plans to build India’s first-ever national security semiconductor fabrication plant in Kolkata.

Indian Government’s initiatives in the semiconductor sector present exciting opportunities for electronics graduates. Recognizing the crucial role of semiconductors in technology, the Indian government is working towards self-reliance, planning to establish three manufacturing units under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) with an investment of ₹1.26 trillion (about $15.2 billion).

This ambitious initiative marks a major shift in India’s technological landscape, fostering domestic semiconductor fabrication capabilities. Graduates in electronics are now able to pursue careers in semiconductor design and fabrication rather than being limited to traditional IT roles, potentially revitalising the electronics industry and creating high-skilled research and development jobs.

The semiconductor industry is vital for India’s technological progress and economic growth. By bolstering domestic production and design, India aims to reduce import dependency, enhancing resilience against external factors and supply chain disruptions. A robust domestic chip industry also strengthens national security and boosts India’s competitive edge in the global market.

As major manufacturers from the U.S., Japan, and other countries look to India instead of China, this signals India’s growing potential as a global manufacturing hub.

To further support this shift, the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has introduced courses such as BTech in Electronics VLSI Design & Technology and Diploma in IC Manufacturing. This step will encourage many top universities and colleges to offer semiconductor courses. A survey by Randstad Company indicates a job demand of 40,000 to 50,000 employees in the sector, with projections suggesting around 100,000 job opportunities by 2025. The Indian semiconductor market is expected to reach $85 billion by 2028.

A semiconductor is a material that can conduct electricity under certain conditions and is often used in electronic devices. Semiconductors are used in a wide range of applications, including Smartphones, Cars, Home appliances, Driver-assistance systems, Personal computers, Servers, Wired communication equipment and more. Semiconductors are a key component of electronic chips, which are used in computing components and other electronic devices. The semiconductor industry is expected to continue to grow. Semiconductors are often made of silicon crystals and have properties that fall between conductors and insulators.