2 hrs ago
India Builds Semiconductor, Space, Defence and AI Capabilities
The article says India is learning to make more advanced technology instead of buying everything from other countries.
This includes computer chips, rockets, defence equipment, trains, and artificial intelligence tools.
Building these things is difficult and can involve early failures.
But, over time, factories and research projects help workers and companies gain useful skills.
A large chip factory planned in Dholera is meant to create more of this knowledge and supporting industry.
Private companies are also becoming involved in space launches and defence production.
The government is providing money and support for technology projects and research.
The author believes India needs to keep these efforts going for many years, beyond individual election cycles.
The article argues that India develops technological capability by building, learning from failures, and sustaining long-term efforts.
Tata Electronics is developing a Rs 91,000-crore semiconductor fab at Dholera, designed for 50,000 wafer starts monthly.
The Semicon India Programme has supported 12 semiconductor projects across six states, with about Rs 1.65 lakh crore in committed investment by May 2026.
Indian electronics production rose from Rs 1.9 lakh crore in FY15 to Rs 13.11 lakh crore in FY26, according to the article.
The article highlights growth in private space, defence production, artificial intelligence, research funding, and advanced technology startups.
- Who
- The Indian government, Indian companies, research institutions, startups, engineers, and workers are involved; the article particularly credits Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
- What
- India is expanding domestic capabilities in semiconductors, electronics, space, defence, artificial intelligence, and advanced research.
- Where
- The projects are in India, including the Tata Electronics semiconductor fab at Dholera and a Skyroot launch from Sriharikota.
- When
- The article discusses developments over the past 15 years and cites figures through FY26 and May 2026.
- Why
- The stated aim is to build technological self-reliance, accumulate industrial knowledge, reduce vulnerability from dependence on imports, and compete more confidently internationally.
Key facts
- Dholera semiconductor fab
- Tata Electronics project valued at Rs 91,000 crore, designed for 50,000 wafer starts per month across mature process nodes.
- Semiconductor projects
- The article says 12 projects had been approved across six states by May 2026, with roughly Rs 1.65 lakh crore in committed investment.
- Electronics production
- Production increased from Rs 1.9 lakh crore in FY15 to Rs 13.11 lakh crore in FY26.
- Electronics exports
- Exports rose from Rs 38,000 crore in FY15 to Rs 4.24 lakh crore in FY26.
- Defence production
- Defence production reached Rs 1.78 lakh crore in FY26, while exports reached Rs 38,424 crore.
- Research and innovation funding
- The Anusandhan National Research Foundation has a planned Rs 50,000-crore outlay for 2023-28, while a separate research, development, and innovation scheme is valued at Rs 1 lakh crore.
- India AI Mission
- The mission has an outlay of Rs 10,371.92 crore and is intended to provide shared computing resources for startups and researchers.







