Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India is now designing 2-nanometer semiconductor chips, marking a major leap in the country’s tech capabilities. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit, he showcased a palm-sized wafer and emphasized India’s commitment to digital sovereignty, innovation, and global competitiveness in chip manufacturing.
India’s Semiconductor Leap: 2nm Chip Design Begins, Says Ashwini Vaishnaw
At the NDTV World Summit held in New Delhi on October 18, 2025, Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that India has begun designing 2-nanometer semiconductor chips, placing the country among the few global players working on ultra-advanced chip technologies.
Key Highlights from the Announcement:
Showcasing Indigenous Innovation Vaishnaw presented a homegrown semiconductor wafer, describing it as a symbol of India’s rising capabilities in chip design. He stated, “We are designing 2nm chips in India today,” underscoring the nation’s entry into cutting-edge semiconductor engineering.
Global Competitiveness The minister emphasized that India’s chip design ambitions are poised to disrupt global market leaders, with the 2nm initiative reflecting a strategic push toward self-reliance in electronics manufacturing.
Digital-Led Growth Strategy Vaishnaw linked the chip design milestone to India’s broader digital transformation, citing initiatives like digital credit, ultra-fast mobile data, and large language models (LLMs) as key enablers of tech-driven progress.
Data Sovereignty and Infrastructure He stressed the importance of data sovereignty, stating, “Data is the new oil, and data centers are the new refineries.” The chip design effort aligns with India’s goal to retain control over its digital infrastructure and data ecosystems.
Investment and Expansion India has approved 10 semiconductor projects across six states, with a total investment of ₹1.6 lakh crore, aimed at building a robust chip design and fabrication ecosystem.
Strategic Implications The move to design 2nm chips positions India as a future-ready tech hub, capable of supporting AI, quantum computing, and next-gen communication systems.
Vaishnaw’s announcement signals a transformative moment for India’s electronics sector, reinforcing its ambition to become a global semiconductor powerhouse.
Sources: Swarajya, Daijiworld, Indiablooms