India Semiconductor R&D Committee submits report on ISRC

The India Semiconductor R&D Committee has presented a report on the India Semiconductor Research Center (ISRC) to Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The report outlines the roadmap for ISRC and its significance in the context of India’s growing capabilities in semiconductor research. Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar acknowledged the committee’s efforts in identifying the key pillars of ISRC, which include Advanced Silicon, Packaging R&D, Compound/Power Semiconductors, and Chip Design & EDA.

Key points from the announcement:

1. Vision and Significance: The Minister recognized the importance of ISRC in realizing Prime Minister Modi’s vision for India’s semiconductor ecosystem. India has been absent from the semiconductor field for decades and aims to catch up. ISRC is expected to play a pivotal role and become the Indian equivalent of renowned global institutions like IMEC, Nano Tech, ITRI, and the MIT Micro-electronic labs.
2. Decadal Strategy: The ISRC report is part of a long-term strategy with significant potential to impact India’s scientific community, researchers, and startups. It aligns with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat,’ and the Minister anticipates that ISRC will become one of the world’s leading semiconductor research institutions in the next 4-5 years.
3. Government Commitment: In December 2021, the Indian government pledged a substantial amount of Rs 76,000 crore (approximately US$10 billion) to catalyze the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in India.
4. Global Semiconductor Research Hub: The Minister emphasized that ISRC is part of the government’s approach to position India as a global semiconductor research and innovation hub. The unveiling of the ISRC report reflects India’s commitment to innovation and its desire to be at the forefront of the global semiconductor landscape.
5. ISRC Vision: ISRC envisions establishing a world-class research institution that focuses on semiconductor processes, advanced packaging, compound semiconductors, and fabless design and EDA tools. By fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government, ISRC aims to bridge the gap between research and manufacturing and nurture a vibrant semiconductor ecosystem.
6. Investment and Collaboration: ISRC plans to strategically invest in achievable technology nodes and collaborate with global research centers, academia, and industry. The initiative aims to make India a global foundry supplier for semiconductors, packaging, and integrated systems, covering the entire spectrum from design to products. It seeks to transform India’s academic institutions into globally competitive entities, attracting global companies to India.
7. Position on the Semiconductor Map: Through investment in cutting-edge research, education, and collaboration, India is poised to secure a prominent position on the global semiconductor map.

This initiative represents a significant step forward for India in the field of semiconductor research and innovation, with the potential to make the country a key player in this industry on a global scale.