Ashwini Vaishnaw Inaugurates India’s First 3nm Chip Centres

In a significant development for India’s semiconductor sector, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Railways, and Information & Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Monday inaugurated India’s first chip design centres focused on 3-nanometer (3nm) technology in Noida and Bengaluru. Set up by Renesas Electronics India, the centres mark a key milestone in the country’s journey towards becoming a global semiconductor hub.

The new facilities are the first in the country to work on the advanced 3nm chip design, placing India among a handful of nations capable of developing cutting-edge semiconductor technologies.

3nm Design Marks a New Milestone

While India has previously seen progress in chip design at 7nm and 5nm levels, the introduction of 3nm design facilities signifies a leap forward. “Designing at 3nm is truly next-generation. We’ve done 7nm and 5nm earlier, but this marks a new frontier,” said Minister Vaishnaw during the inauguration event.

He added that this advancement strengthens India’s position in the global semiconductor design space and aligns with the broader vision of creating a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem in the country. This includes not only chip design but also fabrication, assembly, testing, marking, packaging (ATMP), and a fully developed supply chain that spans equipment, chemicals, and gases.

Strategic Investment in Electronics Corridors

The Noida design centre is a part of Uttar Pradesh’s growing electronics manufacturing corridor, which is being positioned as a major contributor to India’s electronics and semiconductor ambitions. The Bengaluru centre further strengthens India’s design capabilities in a city already known as a hub for tech and innovation.

Highlighting the growing global interest in India’s semiconductor sector, the Minister mentioned investments by major international firms like Applied Materials and Lam Research, as well as India’s growing credibility on platforms like the World Economic Forum at Davos.

“These centres will not only support innovation but also create job opportunities and strengthen the core of India’s electronics design industry,” Vaishnaw said.

Focus on Talent Development

Recognizing the importance of talent in building a robust semiconductor ecosystem, the Minister also announced the launch of a new semiconductor learning kit. The kit is aimed at helping engineering students gain practical, hands-on experience with hardware systems.

Over 270 engineering institutions that are already using advanced Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) will now receive these learning kits. The objective is to equip students with both hardware and software capabilities required in the chip design industry.

“This integration of software and hardware learning will create truly industry-ready engineers. We are not just building infrastructure but investing in long-term talent development,” the Minister said.

He also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for pushing semiconductors as a strategic priority under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

“In just three years, India’s semiconductor industry has moved from a nascent stage to becoming a recognised player globally,” he said.

Industry Participation and Global Collaboration

Hidetoshi Shibata, CEO and MD of Renesas Electronics, also addressed the event and reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to India. He said India is playing an increasingly critical role in embedded systems, software, and system innovation.

“India is a strategic cornerstone for Renesas. We are committed to building end-to-end semiconductor capabilities here, from architecture to testing,” Shibata said.

Renesas is currently supporting over 250 academic institutions and startups through initiatives led by the government, including the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

The company already has centres in Noida and Bengaluru and is planning to expand operations further, including a new centre in Hyderabad.

Strengthening India’s Position in the Global Semiconductor Supply Chain

The establishment of these design centres is being seen as a critical step in India’s efforts to reduce its dependency on imported semiconductor technologies. It also supports the government’s vision of making India a key player in the global semiconductor supply chain.

Semiconductors are essential components in a wide range of sectors including smartphones, laptops, medical devices, defence equipment, and electric vehicles. India’s growing demand in these sectors makes local design and manufacturing capabilities not just strategic but also economically essential.

“With the rise in electronics consumption in India, this momentum in semiconductor development is timely and crucial,” Vaishnaw said.

Renesas Electronics is a global provider of embedded semiconductor solutions for the automotive, industrial, infrastructure, and IoT sectors. The company focuses on delivering scalable and integrated systems and has been expanding its presence in India through its design centres and educational partnerships.

The inauguration of the 3nm chip design centres marks a key milestone in India’s semiconductor journey. With support from global technology firms, policy push from the government, and a focus on engineering talent, India is now taking firm steps toward becoming a global leader in high-end semiconductor design.

The move is expected to accelerate innovation, create new opportunities for startups, and strengthen India's standing in the global technology landscape.