SEMICON India 2026 opened at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi on September 17, putting India’s semiconductor push under a brighter global spotlight. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the fifth edition, which runs until September 19 under the theme “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem.” Early figures from the official SEMI announcement listed 500+ exhibitors, 243 international companies and delegations from over 40 countries.
The latest PMO briefing says more than 600 companies and representatives from 52 countries are participating, with around 50,000 visitors expected. India has moved beyond design-only ambitions because three approved semiconductor units have entered commercial production. Yet the harder test remains: operating large wafer fabrication plants at reliable yields and competitive costs.
Why Is SEMICON India 2026 Bigger Than Earlier Editions?
The event now covers the chip chain from materials and equipment to design, fabrication, advanced packaging, electronics and finished systems. SEMI said the 2026 edition had expanded nearly 30% over the previous edition, while newer government figures show participation grew further before opening day.
Key highlights include:
- More than 600 participating companies and representatives from 52 countries.
- More than 150 speakers, 400 executives and six international country pavilions.
- Startup, innovation, workforce-development and student-hackathon programmes across the three-day event.
- A “Sand to Silicon to Systems” experience showing how the semiconductor chain connects end to end.
In an official X post from Narendra Modi during the event, he said India’s semiconductor ecosystem was expanding and opening opportunities for innovation, investment and growth. The gathering comes as AI computing, electric mobility, telecom networks and data centres increase global demand for chips.
Is India Already Making Chips At Commercial Scale?
India has started commercial semiconductor production, but most current output sits in assembly, testing and packaging rather than large-scale front-end wafer fabrication. A recent PIB semiconductor backgrounder says 12 projects across six states have investment commitments exceeding ₹1.64 lakh crore. Micron, Kaynes and CG Semi have already entered commercial production.
Micron opened its Sanand assembly and test facility in February 2026. According to Micron’s official announcement, the company expects to assemble and test tens of millions of chips there during 2026, scaling to hundreds of millions in 2027. Kaynes began production at Sanand in March.
That progress does not mean India already operates a major wafer fab. Reuters reported on September 17 that no large-scale fabrication plant had yet produced chips commercially in India. Tata Electronics’ roughly $10 billion Dholera project therefore remains a critical manufacturing milestone.
What Stands Between India And Large-Scale Semiconductor Manufacturing?
A fabrication plant needs much more than imported machines and factory space. It depends on reliable electricity, ultra-pure water, specialty gases, chemicals, equipment servicing, clean-room operations, skilled engineers, supplier networks and consistently high production yields.
The government approved Semicon 2.0 in July with a ₹1,27,500 crore outlay covering design, equipment and materials, new fabs, advanced packaging, research and talent. Tata Electronics has also signed an ASML partnership covering lithography equipment, training and support for its upcoming 300-mm Dholera fab.
Another development arrived on opening day. Applied Materials announced a planned $5 billion investment in India over the next decade, focused on research, supply-chain expansion and workforce development. Equipment and materials companies locating closer to Indian fabs could reduce one of the gaps between announcing a factory and running it at high volume.
Can India Move From Chip Design To Manufacturing At Scale?
The evidence shows that the transition has started, but large-scale wafer fabrication remains unproven. India now has commercial packaging output, expanding design capability, approved fabs and partnerships with major equipment suppliers.
The next checkpoint will be sustained wafer production from projects such as Dholera, followed by stable yields, dependable suppliers and repeat orders from global customers. Those results will show whether India can expand from its established chip-design base and growing back-end production into high-volume semiconductor fabrication.
FAQs About SEMICON India 2026
Where is SEMICON India 2026 being held?
It is being held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, from September 17 through September 19, 2026.
How many companies are participating in SEMICON India 2026?
Latest PMO figures say more than 600 companies and representatives from 52 countries are participating.
How many semiconductor projects has India approved?
India has approved 12 semiconductor projects across six states under its first semiconductor programme phase.
Which Indian semiconductor units have started commercial production?
Micron, Kaynes and CG Semi have already started commercial semiconductor production in India during 2026.
Has India started large-scale wafer fabrication yet?
No large-scale fabrication plant has produced chips commercially yet, according to Reuters on September 17.
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