India Semiconductor Mission
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Current affairsIMF World Economic Outlook October 2026: India's Growth Upgraded to 7%, Fastest-Growing Major EconomyThe International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its World Economic Outlook (WEO) report titled "Resilience Under Strain, Urgent Choices" on October 14, 2026, upgrading India's FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7% — a 60-basis-point upward revision from the July 2026 WEO. India is projected as the world's fastest-growing major economy, outpacing China (4.5%) by 2.5 percentage points, driven by resilient domestic demand and robust services activity even as global growth faces headwinds from energy price volatility and Middle East conflict spillovers. Current affairsUNCTAD Trade and Development Report 2026: India's 7.3% Growth, Greenfield Investment Lead, and Geoeconomics of DevelopmentThe United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released its Trade and Development Report 2026 titled "The Geoeconomics of Development," projecting India's GDP growth at 7.3% for 2026 — the fastest among major economies — while cutting global growth to 2.6%. India accounts for 5.7% of global greenfield investments (2020–25), more than double China's 2.8% share, and is identified as a frontrunner in frontier technologies and strategic-sector investment. Current affairsIndia's Critical Minerals Stockpiling Policy: Government to Announce Strategic Reserve Framework by November 2026India's Mines Secretary announced on 9 October 2026 that the government will roll out a critical minerals stockpiling policy within a month, covering 30+ minerals vital to defence, energy, pharma, and telecom sectors. The policy will specify release protocols, quantities, and eligible recipients, and will be complemented by four dedicated critical minerals processing parks (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha) and a ₹1,500 crore recycling boost — part of India's strategy to reduce import dependence and secure supply chains. Current affairsIndia Mobile Congress 2026: 10th Edition Begins at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi — Theme 'Scale Without Boundaries', Focus on 6G, AI and SemiconductorsThe 10th edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026, Asia's largest digital technology forum, opened on October 7 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, under the theme 'Scale Without Boundaries'. Organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the four-day event spotlights 6G, AI-native networks, semiconductors, quantum communications, and satellite connectivity — with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to inaugurate on October 8. Current affairsMake in India Completes 12 Years: PLI Schemes Attract ₹2.40 Lakh Crore Investment, India Becomes World's 2nd Largest Mobile Phone ManufacturerMake in India, launched on 25 September 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, completed 12 years on 25 September 2026. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have attracted ₹2.40 lakh crore in actual investment as of March 2026. India is now the world's second-largest mobile phone manufacturer, with electronics production rising nearly sevenfold to ₹13.11 lakh crore. Current affairsSEMICON India 2026 and India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 (Semicon 2.0): ₹1.27 Lakh Crore Chip Ecosystem PushThe 5th edition of SEMICON India 2026, themed "Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem," concluded on September 19, 2026 at Yashobhoomi (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated it on September 17 and formally launched India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 (Semicon 2.0) with a total outlay of ₹1.27 lakh crore, extending India's semiconductor self-reliance ambitions from fabs and packaging to equipment, materials, design, research, and talent. Current affairsNational Quantum Mission (NQM): IIT Bombay Facilities Inaugurated — India's ₹6,003 Crore Quantum LeapFabrication and central research facilities under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) were inaugurated at IIT Bombay in September 2026, marking a key milestone in India's ₹6,003.65 crore quantum technology programme (2023–2031). NQM aims to develop quantum computers with 50–1,000 physical qubits by 2031, making India one of only six countries with a dedicated national quantum mission. Current affairsSEMICON India 2026: 5th Edition at Yashobhoomi Signals India's Semiconductor Mission MilestonePrime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate SEMICON India 2026 — India's largest semiconductor industry event — on September 17, 2026, at Yashobhoomi (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi. The 5th edition, themed "Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem," will feature 600+ exhibitors from 30+ countries and showcase progress under India's ₹76,000 crore Semiconductor Programme, with 12 fab/packaging projects and 24 design projects approved so far. Current affairsAASHVAST Lab: Indian Army's Air-Gapped Drone Security Testing Facility to Detect Hidden Chinese Components and Firmware ThreatsThe Indian Army inaugurated the AASHVAST Lab (Assessment and Analysis of Systems Hardware for Vulnerabilities And Security Threats) on August 14, 2026, to detect Chinese-origin components, hidden malware, GPS spoofing vulnerabilities, and unauthorised firmware in military drones. The air-gapped, read-only facility at DG EME Headquarters in Delhi represents a critical step in securing India's growing military drone fleet against supply-chain cyber threats. Current affairsIndia-Belgium Joint Statement 2026: Investment Fast-Track Mechanism, IMEC Semiconductor Partnership, and Defence CooperationBelgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever visited India (September 2–4, 2026) — the first Belgian PM visit in two decades — and issued a comprehensive Joint Statement. India and Belgium set a target of doubling bilateral trade from approximately USD 13 billion, established an Investment Fast-Track Mechanism, announced IMEC semiconductor research collaboration, and signed a defence Letter of Intent covering exchanges, staff talks, and joint production. Current affairsSemicon 2.0 Notified: India's ₹1,27,500-Crore Semiconductor Mission Phase 2 — Indigenous Chip Design, 3-nm Roadmap, and Semiconductor SovereigntyThe Government of India formally notified Semicon 2.0 on August 31, 2026 — a ₹1,27,500-crore programme that expands the semiconductor ecosystem from chip assembly to indigenous design, intellectual property creation, advanced packaging, equipment, materials, research, and talent. India aims to domestically design and manufacture chips for 70–75% of its needs by 2029 and reach 3-nanometre and 2-nanometre technology nodes by 2035. Current affairsMobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) 2026: MeitY's ₹62,500 Crore Push for Deep-Value Assembly and Indian BrandsThe Union Cabinet approved and MeitY notified the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) on 22 August 2026, with an outlay of ₹62,500 crore over five years (FY2026-27 to FY2030-31). The scheme goes beyond the earlier PLI for Mobile Phones by specifically incentivising domestic component sourcing (up to 1.5% bonus) and Indian-owned brand R&D (additional 3% incentive), aiming to raise India's domestic value addition in mobile manufacturing from ~15% to over 35% by 2031.
In previous-year questions
- Consider the relationship between ECMS and India's broader electronics manufacturing ecosystem: 1. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) covers semiconductor chips; ECMS covers electronic components. 2. PLI for Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing covers finished goods like smartphones. 3. ECMS components cover approximately 90% of a smartphone's Bill of Materials. 4. The enhanced ECMS outlay in Union Budget 2026-27 was raised to ₹76,000 crore. Which statements are correct?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2026 with an outlay of ₹1.27 lakh crore, is structured around six strategic pillars. Which of the following is NOT one of those six pillars?UPSC · Current Affairs
- SEMICON India 2026, the fifth edition of India's flagship semiconductor conference scheduled for September 17–19 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, is jointly organised by which two bodies?UPSC · Current Affairs
- Under India's semiconductor policy, the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme provides financial support of up to ₹30 crore per company over five years to support which category of companies?UPSC · Current Affairs
- Under ISM 1.0 (the first phase of India Semiconductor Mission, 2021), what was the maximum capital subsidy offered to semiconductor fabrication (fab) units as a percentage of project cost?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS), notified by MeitY on 22 August 2026, carries what total financial outlay over five years (FY2026-27 to FY2030-31)?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The Government of India formally notified Semicon India Programme 2.0 (Semicon 2.0) in August 2026. Which of the following statements about Semicon 2.0 is/are correct? 1. Its total financial outlay is ₹1,27,500 crore. 2. It provides 40% fiscal support for silicon wafer fabrication facilities. 3. It is implemented by the Ministry of Heavy Industries through the National Electronics Mission. Select the correct answer using the code below:UPSC · Current Affairs
- With reference to India's semiconductor ecosystem, which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? 1. Tata Electronics-PSMC fab — Dholera, Gujarat 2. Micron Technology assembly plant — Pune, Maharashtra 3. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) — under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Select the correct answer:UPSC · Current Affairs
- IMEC (Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre), whose semiconductor research collaboration with India was announced in September 2026, is headquartered in which country?UPSC · Current Affairs
- SEMICON India 2026 — the 5th edition of India's flagship semiconductor industry event — is being held at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention Centre), Dwarka, New Delhi, from September 17–19, 2026. Under which ministry does the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), the nodal agency implementing India's semiconductor programme, function?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The Semicon India Programme, with a total outlay of ₹76,000 crore, provides fiscal support to semiconductor fabs established in India. Which of the following correctly describes the level of capital expenditure support provided under the programme for greenfield semiconductor fabrication units?UPSC · Current Affairs
- India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 (Semicon 2.0), approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2026, has a total outlay of:UPSC · Current Affairs