"Connecting communities, empowering nations: Unifying the Regional and Global Economy ."

India is entering a decisive phase in its semiconductor journey. With Semiconductor Mission 2.0, the government is shifting its focus toward silicon carbide (SiC) wafers, signaling a clear intent to move beyond traditional silicon into advanced, high-value semiconductor materials. This transition isn’t just a technical pivot—it represents a strategic industrial bet with far-reaching implications for electric mobility, renewable energy, defense, and global technology competitiveness.

Why SiC Wafers Matter

Unlike conventional silicon wafers, SiC wafers thrive under high voltage, temperature, and frequency conditions, making them indispensable for next-generation power electronics. They are already at the heart of electric vehicles, solar inverters, railways, and even defense systems.

Electric mobility: SiC chips extend EV range and reduce charging time.

Renewables: High-efficiency inverters improve solar and wind power integration.

Defense & telecom: Their durability under extreme conditions makes them mission-critical.

By emphasizing SiC, India positions itself in a market projected to grow exponentially as global industries transition to clean energy and high-efficiency electronics.

Developments Under ISM 2.0

The first phase of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) allocated nearly ₹76,000 crore across 10 projects, but attention now shifts to building compound semiconductor capacity.

Key highlights:

First commercial SiC fab: SicSem Pvt. Ltd., in partnership with Scotland’s Clas-SiC, is establishing a facility in Bhubaneswar with a capacity of 60,000 wafers and nearly 100 million chips annually.

Tata’s silicon focus: The Tata Group continues its conventional silicon wafer project in Gujarat, balancing India’s portfolio between mainstream and niche segments.

Advanced packaging: Odisha will also host a 3D glass substrate and packaging unit—critical for reducing import reliance in downstream processes.

Indigenous R&D: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has already developed 4-inch SiC wafers, demonstrating India’s growing in-house expertise.

Opportunities and Challenges

While the strategic intent is clear, execution challenges loom large.

Capital intensity: A full-scale SiC wafer fab demands billions in upfront investment, with long payback periods. Start-ups and domestic players are calling for tailored financing models.

Technology dependence: Partnerships with global firms remain vital, as compound semiconductors involve proprietary expertise and supply chain lock-ins.

Skilled workforce gap: Scaling requires thousands of engineers trained in wafer design, clean-room operations, and advanced packaging.


Still, the domestic demand pull—from EVs to solar power—offers a natural market base for these fabs, cushioning risks while nurturing indigenous capabilities.

Strategic Implications for India

The move to SiC wafer manufacturing goes beyond industrial diversification. It signals:

1. Resilience in global value chains: Reducing import dependence for critical components.

2. High-value job creation: From wafer fabrication to system design and testing.

3. Technology leadership: Building credibility in wide band-gap semiconductors, a segment where few countries dominate.
4. Geopolitical leverage: As supply chain security becomes central to global tech strategy, India’s positioning as a reliable partner could unlock new trade and investment corridors.

Semiconductor Mission 2.0 marks a turning point. By betting on SiC wafers, India is not just catching up—it is attempting to leapfrog into advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Success here could reshape the nation’s industrial landscape, anchoring its ambitions to become a hub for electronics, clean energy, and digital infrastructure.

Yet, the mission’s impact will ultimately depend on timely execution, global collaborations, and sustained policy support. If India manages these effectively, its semiconductor story could become one of the most significant industrial transformations of the decade. #ChipMission2
#SemiconductorIndia
#SiCWafers
#ElectronicsManufacturing
#ElectricVehicles
#RenewableEnergy
#MakeInIndia
#AdvancedTechnology
#GlobalValueChains
#IndustrialTransformation