India might see its first 'Made in India Chip' soon this year: Ashwini Vaishnaw

At the Dataquest Digital Leadership Conclave 2025, Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, received the IT Person of the Year Award, for his contributions to India’s digital growth and technology-driven transformation. In his acceptance speech, he reflected on India's journey in the technology sector, emphasizing the country's growing role in semiconductor manufacturing and artificial intelligence.

A Vision for a Technological Future

Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Vaishnaw acknowledged the transformative changes India has undergone since 2014. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for providing the necessary confidence, resources, and direction to build homegrown technology solutions that will not only address current challenges but also lay the foundation for future advancements.

"Technology must not just be a service provider to the world. We must develop our own technologies and products, positioning India among the world’s top five technology nations," he stated.

He expressed optimism that, in the future, global summits like the G7 or G20 may recognize India as part of a 'T5' – the top five technology nations.

Made in India: The Semiconductor Milestone

One of the most significant moments in his speech was his mention of India's rapid strides in semiconductor manufacturing. Vaishnaw recalled the initial presentation to the Prime Minister regarding India’s semiconductor mission, which was scheduled for just 45 minutes but extended to over two and a half hours due to the PM’s keen interest.

"It is that level of commitment that has brought us to where we are today," he said. "Now, five semiconductor units are under construction, and this year, we will see the first 'Made in India' chip roll out."

This marks a major milestone in India’s quest to become self-reliant in semiconductor manufacturing, a sector that has long been dominated by a few global players. The development is expected to enhance India's digital sovereignty and reduce dependence on foreign chipmakers.

Supercomputing and AI Revolution

Vaishnaw also spoke about India’s latest achievement in artificial intelligence and computing power. He announced the rollout of the country’s first common compute facility equipped with 14,000 GPUs, providing AI researchers, students, and startups with the infrastructure needed to develop and test AI models.

As mentioned by Vaishnaw, 67 AI applications are already under development in India, with four or five reaching a mature stage, ready for large-scale deployment. These applications will play a pivotal role in various sectors, from healthcare and finance to governance and defense.

An Unprecedented Industrial Revolution

Concluding his speech, Vaishnaw described the current technological shift as a new industrial revolution, where advancements are happening at an exponential pace.

"We used to talk about Moore’s Law doubling computing power every two years. Now, technology is advancing 10x every year, this change is unprecedented," he remarked.

Encouraging India's youth and tech community to embrace this transformation, Vaishnaw emphasized the need for rapid adaptation to technological advancements.

"These are incredibly exciting times," he said. "Let’s harness our nation’s talent and confidence to drive innovation and become leaders in the global digital economy."

With these bold announcements, Vaishnaw reaffirmed India's commitment to technological excellence, AI dominance, and self-reliance in semiconductor production, setting the stage for the country’s next big leap in digital transformation.