Talent Over Tech: How India Can Build a Global Semiconductor Powerhouse
ISIG leadership reveals how domestic talent, core engineering skilling, and innovation can build a robust semiconductor ecosystem in India.
India is standing on the brink of a technological revolution, but the key to unlocking a robust India semiconductor ecosystem lies not just in factories, but in people. Industry leaders from the International Semiconductor Industry Group (ISIG) have emphasized that prioritizing domestic talent, core engineering skilling, and internal innovation is the fastest route to becoming a global hub for chipmaking.
The Talent Magnet: What Global Investors Want
Speaking during a media roundtable ahead of the ISIG Executive Summit India 2026, Salah Nasri, CEO and Co-Founder of ISIG, revealed a critical insight into the minds of global investors. According to Nasri, when international semiconductor giants evaluate where to pour their investments, workforce capability is the absolute top priority.
While there is a global shortage of talent in semiconductor manufacturing, Nasri noted that India already possesses a massive advantage: world-class education and expertise, particularly in semiconductor design. He identified two primary priorities for companies looking at India: first, the availability of skilled talent, and second, business development opportunities.
Innovator vs. Consumer: Boosting the GDP
The push for self-reliance is not just about technology; it is about economic sovereignty. Nasri argued that transitioning from being a consumer of technology to an innovator is essential for national growth.
"You would rather be an innovator than a consumer. So if you can innovate and build internally, what's the point of going outside and buying outside? You just build your GDP, you build your ecosystem talent-wise, business-wise, internally rather than externally," Nasri stated.
Expanding the Supply Chain Beyond Design
While the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 1.0 laid the groundwork, leaders believe the next phase must be more comprehensive. To secure the entire supply chain, India needs to expand its focus beyond just chip design and fabrication to include:
- Equipment Manufacturers: Building the machinery needed for production.
- Materials Manufacturers: Sourcing and creating the raw materials required for wafers.
- Advanced Packaging: Moving into the critical final stages of semiconductor assembly.
- Power Semiconductors: Developing specialized chips for energy and power management.
The Shift Back to Core Engineering
Santosh Kumar, President of ISIG India and CEO of Paras Semiconductors, highlighted a necessary shift in the educational landscape. For years, the trend in India leaned heavily toward IT and software. However, Kumar insists that for the semiconductor industry to thrive, the focus must return to "core" engineering.
He specifically pointed to chemical engineering and materials science engineering as disciplines that require urgent attention, as semiconductor manufacturing is fundamentally dependent on these fields. A strong foundation in these core sciences is the only way to sustain a domestic industry.
Government Support and Massive Investments
The financial burden of semiconductor manufacturing is immense, but a dual-layer support system is making India a competitive destination. The central government provides subsidies under ISM 2.0, while state governments offer critical infrastructure support, including land, water, and power.
This supportive framework is already yielding results. Paras Semiconductors has announced plans to establish an advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility in Madhya Pradesh, with a projected investment of Rs 6,200 crore.
The ISIG Executive Summit, hosted in India for the first time, serves as a bridge between international experts and domestic players, aiming to forge the technology and business linkages required to turn India into a semiconductor superpower.