India's semiconductor ambitions are gathering momentum as states launch new subsidies, chipmakers weigh fabs, global suppliers consider manufacturing, and engineering partnerships deepen the country's role in chip supply chains.
Tamil Nadu adds independent chip subsidy route as Indian states vie for investment
India's semiconductor drive has largely been led by New Delhi, which selects projects for large central incentives while state governments add their own packages of land, infrastructure and financial support. Tamil Nadu is now giving semiconductor investors another route.
India's smartphone shipments hit a decade low in 3Q26 amid rising prices
India's smartphone shipments fell 20% year over year in the third quarter of 2026, reaching a decade low as higher memory costs pushed device prices up. The downturn highlights affordability pressures for consumers and could prompt manufacturers to raise prices, reshape portfolios, and rely on premium segments globally.
HCLTech and Rapidus open India centers to support semiconductor engineering
HCLTech and Japan's Rapidus have inaugurated development centers in Bengaluru and Hubli, India, expanding their semiconductor engineering collaboration across Asia. The facilities will support advanced chip work, while a planned talent pipeline could connect Indian engineers with Rapidus' manufacturing ambitions in Japan, highlighting the cross-border partnerships shaping semiconductor supply chains.
India-based Spintronics AI weighs GaN chip fab in Madhya Pradesh
Hyderabad-based Spintronics AI Semiconductors said on October 27 that it is evaluating the feasibility of establishing a gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor fabrication facility at Vikram Udyogapuri in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, with a total proposed investment of about INR28 billion (approx. US$294.14 million). The company works in GaN, RF, and power semiconductor design.
KLA reportedly weighs India manufacturing entry as Semicon 2.0 opens to equipment makers
KLA Corporation, the US maker of semiconductor inspection and metrology equipment, is evaluating a manufacturing foray in India and is considering one or two applications under the country's Semicon 2.0 incentive scheme, The Economic Times reported on October 29, citing people familiar with the developments. KLA did not respond to the newspaper's queries.
India sets October 2028 target for homegrown smartphone brand
India's electronics and IT minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has set October 23, 2028, as the date by which the country will have mobile phones that are designed, manufactured, and branded domestically, as New Delhi seeks to move beyond assembling devices for foreign brands.
Tata Communications plans up to US$450 million fibre network linking India's AI hubs
Tata Communications announced on October 26 that it plans to invest US$400-450 million in approximately 10,000 kilometers of long-haul fiber across India, linking data centers and AI hubs as it expands its connectivity business. The network will connect domestic corridors with its global backbone.
Article edited by Jack Wu
