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Tuesday, September 22, 2026 12:07 PM

India Has Nearly 20% of Global Semiconductor Design Workforce: IT Secretary

ArdorComm Media News Network

India now accounts for nearly one-fifth of the global semiconductor design workforce, reflecting the country’s growing role in the international chip ecosystem, IT Secretary S. Krishnan said on Saturday.

Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of SEMICON India 2026, Krishnan said the government is placing strong emphasis on developing semiconductor talent and is currently implementing a programme aimed at training around 85,000 design engineers.

He said skill development would remain a priority across the semiconductor value chain, with particular attention being given to manufacturing. According to Krishnan, India already has a substantial pool of skilled professionals in chip design, providing an important foundation for further growth in the sector.

On investments and proposals presented at SEMICON India, Krishnan said the government would assess each proposal carefully before approving incentives, given the significant use of public funds. He noted that several major Indian and multinational companies are showing interest in investing in India’s semiconductor sector.

The IT Secretary attributed this growing investor interest to confidence in India’s talent pool as well as the stability and support provided by government policies. He said the government would encourage companies seeking to establish or expand their semiconductor operations in the country and work closely with them.

Meanwhile, SEMI India-IESA President Ashok Chandak said SEMICON India 2026 attracted 12,000 visitors on its opening day and 16,000 on the second day, with participation continuing to grow.

Chandak highlighted significant interest from students and early-career engineers, saying the participation reflected a growing desire among young people to understand the semiconductor industry and explore opportunities in the sector.

The event has also witnessed participation from several Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia, along with visitors from the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. Chandak said the participation demonstrated interest among companies and industry stakeholders from these countries in collaborating with their Indian counterparts.

Source: IANS