According to the plan, this facility will offer easy access to chip and packaging designs for startups, researchers, and small firms.
The Indian government is exploring the establishment of a private-public cloud model for storing advanced semiconductor chip designs and packaging. This innovative approach is designed to provide startups, academics, and small companies with unprecedented access to these designs, thereby significantly reducing the time to market for semiconductor products. The proposed India Semiconductor Research Centre (ISRC) would be a hub for research and development in next-generation semiconductors, with an initial investment of up to $250 million from both the public and private sectors.
The infrastructure for this ambitious project could be housed under the proposed India Semiconductor Research Centre (ISRC), which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. An official from the ministry stated, “Companies invest significant time and resources to develop new integrated chip (IC) or improved packaging designs. Our aim is to make some of these designs available to small startups for research work.” The ministry is committed to providing access to these designs to accelerate the time to market for semiconductor products. Startups that meet specific criteria or are involved in semiconductor chip design may be granted access.
Earlier reports indicated that the ministry plans a dedicated research and development wing under the ISRC, focusing on semiconductor products that can quickly transition to industrial production. This R&D wing will be separate from other ISRC research projects, which typically have longer gestation periods. The ISRC aims to concentrate on developing next-generation semiconductors, packaging and systems technologies, processes, and materials.
The ISRC has been proposed as a center of excellence with an initial investment of up to $250 million. This funding will be sourced from both public and private sources, demonstrating a shared commitment to the project’s success. The ISRC, which is intended to function as an independent unit under the IT ministry, will have a full-time management team, including independent directors from the industry and government representatives. While the majority of funding for the ISRC is expected to come from the government, a government committee has suggested that additional funds could be raised through donations, grants, scholarships, and service fees, ensuring the sustainability of the project.
This initiative seeks to support innovation and collaboration in India’s semiconductor industry, fostering an ecosystem conducive to rapid advancements and industrial applications.
