SEMICONDUCTOR (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan to establish a semiconductor supply chain partnership, with a strong emphasis on research and development (R&D), manufacturing, design, and talent development within the industry.

Semiconductor 

• About: Semiconductors are manufactured using minute particles of various raw materials.
• Raw materials: Silicon, Germanium, and Gallium arsenide.
• Through a process known as doping, the properties of these materials are modified to make them exhibit both conductive and non-conductive behavior as needed.
• Multiple semiconductor chips are produced from a single silicon disc or wafer.

India’s Status in Semiconductor Supply Chain

• India's chip imports, which currently account for all chips in the market, are expected to grow from the current USD 24 billion to reach USD 100 billion by 2025. 
• This signifies India’s growing emphasis on internal semiconductor production, as well as its desire to establish a formidable presence in the global semiconductor supply chains.
• SEMICONINDIA 2023: Organized by the India Semiconductor Mission in collaboration with industry and industry associations.

o Objective: To transform India into a worldwide center for Semiconductor Design, Manufacturing, and Technology Development, aligning with the vision of the India Semiconductor Mission.