India has achieved a significant milestone in its semiconductor journey with the inauguration of its first 3nm chip design centres in Noida and Bengaluru. Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, officiated the launch of these state-of-the-art facilities developed by Renesas Electronics India, marking a new era in advanced chip design for the nation.
🇮🇳 India’s Leap into 3nm Chip Design
The newly inaugurated centres in Noida and Bengaluru are India’s first to focus on 3-nanometer (3nm) chip design, a cutting-edge technology that allows for higher transistor density, improved performance, and reduced power consumption. This advancement positions India alongside global leaders in semiconductor innovation. Minister Vaishnaw highlighted this development as a pivotal moment, stating, “Designing at 3nm is truly next-generation. We’ve done 7nm and 5nm earlier, but this marks a new frontier.”
🏢 Renesas Electronics: Driving Innovation in India
Renesas Electronics India, a subsidiary of the Japanese semiconductor giant, is spearheading this initiative. The company’s CEO, Hidetoshi Shibata, emphasized India’s strategic importance in Renesas’ global roadmap, noting the country’s growing contributions in embedded systems, software, and system innovation. Renesas is also actively supporting over 250 academic institutions and numerous startups through initiatives like the Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme and the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme. Business Today
📚 Empowering Talent Through Education
In conjunction with the launch, the government introduced a Semiconductor Learning Kit aimed at enhancing practical hardware skills among engineering students. Over 270 academic institutions equipped with advanced Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools under the India Semiconductor Mission will receive these kits. Minister Vaishnaw emphasized that this integration of software and hardware learning will create industry-ready engineers, investing in long-term talent development.
🌐 Building a Comprehensive Semiconductor Ecosystem
India’s semiconductor strategy encompasses the entire value chain, including design, fabrication, assembly, testing, marking, packaging (ATMP), and the supply of equipment, chemicals, and gases. The establishment of the 3nm design centres is a significant step in this holistic approach, aiming to position India as a global semiconductor hub. The government’s commitment is further evidenced by substantial investments from companies like Applied Materials and Lam Research, bolstering confidence in India’s semiconductor industry.
