India has formally launched the Semiconductor Product Design Leadership Forum, a pivotal initiative poised to make the nation a global frontrunner in chip design, intellectual property creation, and advanced semiconductor innovation.
Spearheaded by the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), this forum is dedicated to bridging critical divides in capital availability, access to sophisticated EDA tools, IP acquisition, global partnerships, and nurturing specialized design talent to position India at the face of the next generation of semiconductor development.
Transformative National Vision
The new forum seeks to establish a globally dominant semiconductor design ecosystem by supporting Indian engineers and innovators with a robust environment for discovery and IP creation.
It operates in synergy with schemes like the government’s Design-Linked Incentive (DLI), maximizing the impact of incentives for startups and policy reforms in semiconductor technology.
Milestones in Stakeholder Participation
Over 80 industry stakeholders, including officials from MeitY, NITI Aayog, international firms, fabless companies, early-stage design startups, and supply chain experts, attended the inaugural event, underscoring broad industry momentum.
Forum Chair Sandeep Kumar emphasized the strategic role of uniting diverse components of the ecosystem—IP institutions, tool vendors, supply chains, marketing partners, and funding agencies—to systematically address barriers that have historically limited India’s design capabilities.
Leadership Comments
S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, commented, “As we invest in fabs and manufacturing through the India Semiconductor Mission, it is imperative that we also strengthen the design ecosystem, for that is where true value, autonomy, and sovereignty lie”.
This leadership sentiment was echoed by ICEA Chairman, Pankaj Mohindroo, stating, “ICEA Semiconductor Product Design Leadership Forum reflects our conviction that India must lead not only in manufacturing but also in chip innovation.
With this initiative, we envision catalysing the growth of 500 successful semiconductor product design companies over the next decade”.
Accelerating Growth with Government Backing
India’s semiconductor market is forecasted to surge from $45-50 billion in 2024-25 to $100-110 billion by 2030, an expansion fueled by bold government incentives and support for both manufacturing and design.
Notably, the Semiconductor Fabs Scheme and Display Fabs Scheme provide up to 50% fiscal support for qualifying projects, while the DLI scheme offers up to INR15 crore per chip design startup.
These measures aim not only to make India self-reliant but to establish leadership in high-value chip innovation worldwide.
