Design-Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme
- The Indian government is actively working on 25 chipset designs with intellectual property (IP) ownership retained in India.
- Targeted applications include high-risk domains such as surveillance cameras and WiFi access points, which are vulnerable to cybersecurity threats.
- Currently, 13 chipset projects are underway under the DLI scheme, with several making notable progress.
- The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Bengaluru, serves as the nodal agency.
Security and Product Innovation Through Indigenous IP
- Having domestic IP rights ensures greater cybersecurity and transforms India from a services nation to a product-based economy.
- These chipsets can be manufactured in the upcoming semiconductor fabrication units (fabs) currently being developed in India.
Ecosystem Development
- Over 240 colleges and institutions have been provided access to world-class semiconductor design software tools to foster a design-led education ecosystem.
- 20 student-designed chips will soon be taped at the SemiConductor Laboratory, Mohali, validating the effectiveness of the program.
- This initiative is expected to nurture 85,000 chip design engineers over the next 10 years.
End-to-End Chip Design Capability in India
- Indian engineers have reached a level where they can handle complete chip design cycles, from concept to final design.
- This builds confidence among youth and opens avenues for semiconductor-focused tech startups in the country.
Vision for 2030
- The semiconductor and AI mission is progressing rapidly with the aim of achieving a $500 billion electronics production target by 2030.
- The focus is on localisation, innovation, and building a globally competitive electronics and chip manufacturing ecosystem.
BS