New Delhi: More than 240 global semiconductor companies are expected to participate in SEMICON India 2026, as India steps up efforts to build a stronger domestic chip ecosystem and position itself as a major player in the global semiconductor supply chain. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to meet senior executives from leading semiconductor companies during the event.
The three-day event will be held from September 17 to 19 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi. The gathering is expected to bring together chip manufacturers, equipment makers, technology companies, investors, policymakers and industry leaders from India and abroad.
240+ global companies expected
SEMICON India 2026 is expected to attract more than 240 global chip companies, underlining growing international interest in India’s semiconductor ambitions.
The official event information says participation is expected from more than 100 international companies, alongside over 300 Indian companies. The event will also feature country pavilions from Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore, Malaysia and Sweden.
The large international participation comes as semiconductor supply chains are being reorganised globally amid rising demand from artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, data centres, smartphones and other advanced technologies.
PM Modi to meet semiconductor CEOs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold meetings with senior executives from major semiconductor companies during the event.
The meetings are significant because India is seeking fresh investments across the semiconductor value chain, including chip fabrication, assembly, testing, packaging, equipment and design.
The government wants global semiconductor companies to consider India not only as a market but also as a manufacturing and technology base.
A similar high-level interaction took place during the 2025 edition of SEMICON India, when industry executives discussed investment plans with the Prime Minister.
India targets a bigger role in chip manufacturing
India has historically relied heavily on imports to meet its semiconductor requirements.
The government is now attempting to build domestic capabilities so that more of the chips and related components required by Indian industries can be manufactured within the country.
This is particularly important as semiconductors have become strategically significant for sectors ranging from automobiles and telecommunications to defence, artificial intelligence and consumer electronics.
India’s semiconductor push is therefore being viewed as both an industrial policy and a strategic effort to strengthen supply-chain resilience.
Semicon 2.0 gets major funding
The upcoming event also comes after the Union Cabinet approved Semicon 2.0 in July.
The programme has a total budgetary outlay of ₹1.27 lakh crore and is designed to strengthen India’s semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem.
The second phase builds on the country’s earlier semiconductor programme, with a greater focus on developing domestic chip designs, intellectual property, manufacturing capabilities and a broader ecosystem.
According to the government, 105 startups have already started developing chips, with the next phase intended to deepen India’s design capabilities.
Three semiconductor plants already in production
India’s semiconductor ambitions have also moved beyond announcements and investment proposals.
Prime Minister Modi said on Independence Day that production has begun at three semiconductor manufacturing plants in India.
He also announced plans for another seven to eight semiconductor plants over the coming years as India seeks to establish a larger domestic manufacturing base.
The expansion could help reduce India’s dependence on imported chips while creating opportunities for electronics manufacturers and technology companies operating in the country.
AI is driving demand for semiconductors
The global semiconductor industry is experiencing strong demand because of the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence.
AI data centres require enormous quantities of advanced processors, memory chips and supporting semiconductor infrastructure.
At the same time, chips are becoming increasingly important in automobiles, industrial equipment, telecommunications networks and consumer electronics.
India’s attempt to develop domestic semiconductor capabilities therefore comes at a time when countries worldwide are competing to attract chip manufacturing investments.
India wants to build an entire ecosystem
The government’s objective is not limited to establishing fabrication plants.
A successful semiconductor industry requires a wide ecosystem involving chip design, semiconductor-grade materials, manufacturing equipment, packaging, testing, logistics and highly skilled workers.
SEMICON India 2026 is expected to provide a platform for companies across these areas to explore partnerships and investment opportunities.
The event’s programme also includes a dedicated workforce development area, highlighting the importance of developing skilled talent alongside physical manufacturing infrastructure.
Country pavilions highlight international interest
The presence of six country pavilions is another indication of the international dimension of the event.
Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore, Malaysia and Sweden will have dedicated representation.
These countries have established capabilities across different parts of the semiconductor and electronics ecosystem, ranging from chip manufacturing and equipment to advanced electronics.
Their participation could create opportunities for Indian companies to establish technology partnerships and integrate themselves into international supply chains.
New Delhi to host the semiconductor gathering
SEMICON India 2026 will take place at Yashobhoomi, India International Convention and Expo Centre, in Dwarka, New Delhi.
The exhibition is expected to cover approximately 18,000 square metres, with companies and policymakers showcasing technologies and discussing opportunities across the semiconductor value chain.
The event is being organised around the theme “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem”, reflecting India’s broader objective of developing capabilities beyond individual chip factories.
What India hopes to achieve
The government hopes that the event will translate international interest into concrete investments, technology partnerships and manufacturing projects.
India is competing with established semiconductor hubs such as Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, China and the US, while other countries are also offering incentives to attract chip manufacturers.
For India, the challenge is to turn policy support and large-scale investments into a sustainable ecosystem capable of producing chips competitively and at scale.
Supply-chain diversification creates an opportunity
Global companies are increasingly looking to diversify their manufacturing and sourcing networks.
Geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions and the concentration of advanced semiconductor manufacturing in a handful of locations have encouraged governments and companies to seek alternative production bases.
India is attempting to position itself as one such destination.
The country’s large domestic electronics market, expanding digital economy and growing pool of engineering talent are among the factors being highlighted in its semiconductor pitch.
Semiconductor industry could support broader manufacturing
A stronger chip ecosystem could have implications well beyond the semiconductor sector.
Locally available chips could support India’s ambitions in electronics manufacturing, electric vehicles, telecommunications, defence technology and consumer devices.
It could also encourage companies making semiconductor equipment, materials and components to establish operations in India.
This could create a multiplier effect, with semiconductor investments supporting a wider manufacturing ecosystem.
Challenges remain
Despite the government’s ambitious plans, building a competitive semiconductor industry is a complex and capital-intensive process.
Chip fabrication plants require enormous investments, reliable supplies of electricity and water, sophisticated equipment and highly skilled workers.
India will also need to develop a network of suppliers capable of meeting the stringent requirements of semiconductor manufacturing.
The success of Semicon 2.0 and the projects already announced will therefore depend on how quickly these supporting capabilities develop.
Conclusion
SEMICON India 2026 is set to bring together more than 240 global semiconductor companies, alongside hundreds of Indian firms, as India intensifies its effort to establish itself as a major semiconductor manufacturing and design hub. The event will take place from September 17 to 19 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to meet senior executives from leading chip companies.
The event comes at a crucial stage for India’s semiconductor ambitions. With Semicon 2.0 backed by ₹1.27 lakh crore and the government announcing plans for additional semiconductor plants, India is seeking to move from being a major chip importer towards becoming an important part of the global semiconductor supply chain.
The participation of major international companies could provide India with an opportunity to attract investment, technology and partnerships. However, the longer-term success of the strategy will depend on whether the country can build a complete ecosystem around chip manufacturing, including equipment, materials, packaging, design and skilled talent.