For an uninitiated, IMEC is a Belgium based world-leading R&D and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. ITRI is a Taiwan based innovation and R&D lab. While, MIT Micro-Electronics Laboratory or the MIT Lincoln Laboratory Microelectronics Laboratory is the U.S. government's most capable semiconductor research and fabrication facility.
To come up with semiconductor research institute equivalent to the ones mentioned above, MeitY had formed a India Semiconductor R&D Committee back in 2021 and now in a latest the committee has handed over the report on the India Semiconductor Research Center (ISRC) to Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
While appreciating the efforts made by the members of India Semiconductor R&D Committee, the Minister said, “After months of dedicated research, India Semiconductor R&D Committee has laid out a roadmap of ISRC, realizing what can be the architectural design of PM Modi’s vision for the semiconductor ecosystem. After being absent from the semiconductor ecosystem for decades and missing many opportunities, we are now playing catch up. This institution will be a core institution in India’s growing capabilities in semiconductors. It will be the Indian equivalent of IMEC, Nano Tech, ITRI and the MIT Micro-electronic labs which have been the pioneers of every cutting-edge technology in the world.”
Minister Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar acknowledged the contributions of all Committee members in comprehensively identifying the pillars of ISRC including – Advanced Silicon, Packaging R&D, Compound/ Power Semiconductor and Chip design & EDA.
“The ISRC report is part of a decadal strategy, that will significantly impact India, our young Indian scientists, researchers, and startups. It aligns with the PM's vision for ‘Viksit Bharat’. In the next 4-5 years, the ISRC will become one of the leading semiconductor research institutions in the world,” the Minister further added.
In December 2021, the Indian government committed an impressive Rs 76,000 crore (~US$10 billion) to catalyse the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in India.
The Minister also mentioned that ISRC is part of a graded approach that the Government is taking to make India a global semiconductor research and innovation hub. The unveiling of the report on the India Semiconductor Research Centre (ISRC) signifies India’s commitment to drive innovation and strategy, propelling India to be at the forefront of the global semiconductor landscape.
The ISRC envisions the establishment of a world-class research institution focusing on semiconductor processes, advanced packaging, compound semiconductors and Fabless design and EDA tools. By fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government, ISRC aims to nurture a vibrant semiconductor ecosystem. It is expected to facilitate seamless transfer from lab to fab, bridging the gap between research and manufacturing.
The ISRC plans to invest strategically, focusing on achievable technology nodes and fostering collaborations with global research centres, academia and industry. The initiative aims to transform the centres of Excellence in India’s academic institutions into globally competitive entities, attracting global companies to India.
It aims to establish India as a global foundry supplier for semiconductors, packaging, and integrated systems, from design to products. By investing in cutting-edge research, education, and collaboration, India is poised to transform its semiconductor landscape and secure a prominent position on the semiconductor map of the world.
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