In a major step toward building technological sovereignty, the Vinod Dham Centre of Excellence for Semiconductors and Microelectronics was officially inaugurated at Delhi Technological University (DTU) by Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw, alongside Vinod Dham, globally celebrated as the “Father of the Pentium Chip.”
This newly launched centre is dedicated to fostering research, innovation, and skill development in semiconductor design and microelectronics, aiming to position India as a strong contender in the global semiconductor space.
India Moves Ahead in Semiconductor Self-Reliance with Major National Push with the New Vinod Dham Centre of Excellence for Semiconductors and Microelectronics Stated As A Landmark Step Towards India’s Semiconductor Independence
Not Just a Centre — A Cornerstone of Strategy
This initiative is far more than an academic milestone — it is a core pillar of India’s tech self-reliance roadmap. The Vinod Dham Centre of Excellence for Semiconductors and Microelectronics directly supports the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and aligns with the government’s broader goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign chipmakers.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized:
“This centre will be the backbone for innovation, research, and talent development in microelectronics.”
Already, more than 1 lakh students (B.Tech, M.Tech, and PhD levels) have been trained under the Chips to Startup (C2S) programme. 263 institutions now have access to Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, and 20 ASICs have been fabricated at the SCL foundry — all indicators that this is not an idea on paper, but a plan being executed with urgency and precision.
Vinod Dham: “Seize the Moment”
Vinod Dham, the visionary behind Intel’s Pentium chip and a powerful voice in global tech circles, praised the Government of India’s direction through ISM and urged students and institutions to rise to the occasion.
“This is a rare opportunity for India to build lasting strength in advanced technology,” he said. “If we act now, we can leap ahead. This is our moment.”
He called for an all-hands-on-deck approach to align India’s academic talent with national goals. According to Dham, this effort is not symbolic. On the contrary, “this is execution in motion, not just a PR move.”
Big Stakes, Big Returns
So why is India investing so heavily in semiconductors right now?
Quite simply, the potential is immense. In terms of economic growth, job creation, and geopolitical leverage, this is a high-reward sector. The global semiconductor industry is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030, and India is aiming to carve out a meaningful piece of that value chain.
There’s more than just patriotism at play here.
Yes — “there is big profit in it” — not only in terms of direct chip revenue but also the long-term ripple effects it will have on employment, research exports, national security, and foreign investment.
Built on Substance, Not Symbolism
Some might ask — is this just a ceremonial announcement or a genuine transformation? The answer is unequivocal:
“Far from it. With real investments, real training, and real partnerships, this is execution in motion, not just a PR move.”
This centre is equipped with the latest tools and will soon expand into global academic collaborations, deep industry engagement, and the development of domestic chip design IP — all of which prove this initiative is rooted in substance and strategic foresight.
International R&D Collaboration and Industrial Co-Development
As Prof. Rishu Chaujar, Director of the Centre, noted, the roadmap ahead involves aggressive scaling — from national academic programs to international R&D collaboration and industrial co-development. This is not just about building labs, but about creating a living ecosystem for India’s semiconductor future.
