ICEA Suggest Steps for Big Indian Corps. to Invest in Chip Design, IP

To position India at the forefront of semiconductor product design and IP development, the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) has suggested a number of steps, such as pushing big Indian corporations to invest in semiconductor design and seeing chip design and manufacture as a strategic industry.

In its most recent report, ICEA has suggested that India should create a dedicated market exchange for the country’s electronics and high-tech sectors.

ICEA promotes India’s capacity to be at the forefront of the global semiconductor industry, particularly by developing semiconductor design and core IP creation in India, as the country’s goals in the field of semiconductor manufacturing are progressing significantly.

In light of shifting global geopolitics, ICEA has issued a paper on the semiconductor sector that highlights India’s historically large prospects as well as how it may overcome its obstacles.

“As we navigate through a transformative era in electronics manufacturing and hi-tech technology, India stands at a pivotal juncture to redefine its role in the semiconductor value chain,” states Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of ICEA. We set out on a journey together that would be characterized by creativity, independence, and global competitiveness, with the goal of establishing India as a semiconductor powerhouse.

While appreciating the Indian government’s Design Linked Incentive (DLI), considerable policy and governmental assistance are also required, and it is suggested that mask sets be included in DLI. According to ICEA, a proposal has been made to subsidize mask sets for Indian semiconductor design businesses by as much as 80%.

This step is intended to aid in the development of a robust Indian Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) framework. India has to think about creative financing strategies to assist the semiconductor design community. This involves creating a specific capital market structure for the electronics and high-tech industries, as well as treating the design and manufacture of semiconductor chips as a key sector to facilitate access to low-cost funding.

“India needs to be vigilant and forge a coalition to prevent dumping of higher node and memory chips from China, otherwise we risk a situation similar to a display wherein most global TFT-LCD companies have gone under,” the ICEA Paper added.

The research recommends adding “mask sets”—stencils used to create a pattern on a substrate—to the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) program and calls for strong legislative and regulatory support.

The significance of creative funding strategies for the d was emphasized in the paper. It made the case for classifying the design and production of semiconductor chips as a “strategic sector” in order to provide low-cost funding and create a special capital market structure for the electronics and high-tech industries.

Additionally, ICEA declares that the semiconductor industry is in dire need of qualified workers and advocates for the creation of industry-focused curriculum and extensive training initiatives. This will assist in providing the workforce in India with the necessary skills to spearhead the nation’s semiconductor revolution.

Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), stated at a conference that “India stands at a pivotal juncture to redefine its role in the semiconductor value chain as we navigate through a transformative era in electronics manufacturing and hi-tech.”