SEMICON India 2026 opened on September 17 at Yashobhoomi in Dwarka, New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the three-day event that brings together more than 600 companies from 52 countries. The fifth edition of the show, themed “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem,” marks what officials are calling India’s shift from semiconductor policy talk to actual commercial chip production.
The event runs through September 19 at the India International Convention and Expo Centre and is expected to draw around 50,000 visitors, more than 400 executives and over 150 speakers. Six international country pavilions, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany and the Netherlands, are showcasing their semiconductor capabilities alongside 12 Indian state booths. Applied Materials has also used the platform to detail a $5 billion India Vision 2035 investment plan aimed at deepening the country’s chip supply chain.
What Is SEMICON India 2026 and Why Does It Matter?
SEMICON India is the flagship annual event of India’s semiconductor mission, organised to connect global chipmakers, equipment suppliers and policymakers with India’s growing manufacturing base. PM Modi told industry leaders that India should aim to be among the early leaders in emerging technologies such as semiconductors, AI and quantum computing, and called for closer government-industry collaboration on skilling and innovation. The government has also set a target of training 1 lakh engineering students specifically for the semiconductor industry, addressing a talent gap that has slowed fab and design projects in the past.
What Does This Mean for Indian Tech Businesses?
For India’s tech and electronics sector, SEMICON India 2026 signals that fabrication and packaging plants approved under the India Semiconductor Mission are now moving toward commercial output rather than remaining on paper. Component makers, EMS (electronics manufacturing services) providers and fabless design startups stand to benefit from deeper local supply chains, reducing dependence on imports for critical chips used in smartphones, automobiles, telecom equipment and defence systems. Applied Materials’ $5 billion commitment specifically targets equipment and materials supply, which could shorten lead times for Indian fabs currently under construction in Gujarat and Assam.
Industry Reaction and Expert Commentary
Industry executives at the event welcomed the government’s emphasis on industry-government collaboration, with several noting that India’s talent pool, technology adoption rate and improving infrastructure give it a genuine foundation to compete for a slice of global chip manufacturing capacity, currently dominated by Taiwan, South Korea and the United States. Trade delegations from the six pavilion countries used the floor to scout Indian partners for joint ventures in design, testing and advanced packaging, an area where India is trying to build capability faster than in wafer fabrication itself.
What Happens Next?
The exhibition continues through September 19, with sector-specific conference tracks on chip design, fabrication, advanced packaging and systems integration scheduled across the three days. Watch for follow-on announcements from state governments on new fab or ATMP (assembly, testing, marking and packaging) unit approvals, as several states are expected to use the event to formally sign investment MoUs. Applied Materials’ $5 billion plan will also see phased disclosures on manufacturing sites and hiring timelines over the coming months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the theme of SEMICON India 2026?
The 2026 edition runs on the theme “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem,” reflecting India’s push to move beyond chip assembly into full-stack semiconductor design, fabrication and systems manufacturing.
How many companies and countries are participating in SEMICON India 2026?
More than 600 companies from 52 countries are taking part, including dedicated pavilions from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany and the Netherlands.
Where and when is SEMICON India 2026 being held?
The event is being held from September 17 to 19, 2026, at Yashobhoomi, the India International Convention and Expo Centre, in Dwarka, New Delhi.
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