Independence Day Speech: Significant Points from Prime Minister Modi's Discourse to the Nation; Emphasis on Job Creation, Innovation, and Nuclear Advancements
India is set to make a significant leap in its technological journey, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced plans for the production of the country's first domestically manufactured semiconductor chip by the end of 2025. This ambitious project marks a major milestone in India's pursuit of technological self-reliance.
The Indian government has launched the India Semiconductor Mission with a total outlay of ₹76,000 crore (approx. USD 9.5 billion) to develop a comprehensive semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem across six states. Ten semiconductor manufacturing projects with a combined investment of over ₹1.60 lakh crore have been approved, spanning fabrication (fabs), assembly, testing, marking, packaging, and design units. Six semiconductor units are already operational, and four additional projects have recently been greenlit.
The chip manufacturing will use 28nm to 90nm technology nodes, which are well-suited for automotive, industrial, and general consumer electronics applications. Part of the chipset designs includes contributions from academia, with several chipsets designed by students from institutions like IIT-Hyderabad, highlighting the country's growing design capabilities.
Prime Minister Modi also linked this progress with parallel advancements in India’s development of 6G telecommunications technology, underscoring a broader push for technological sovereignty. The initiative aims to position India as a global hub in semiconductor manufacturing, covering the entire supply chain from raw fabrication through assembly and export.
This move addresses India's historical lag in semiconductor manufacturing, which dates back over 50 years. Current government policy shifts and investments aim to overcome past delays and establish India on the global semiconductor map by producing chips domestically that serve both national and global markets.
In addition to the semiconductor initiative, PM Modi announced the creation of a Reform Task Force to drive next-generation reforms, aiming to accelerate economic growth, cut red tape, modernise governance, and prepare India for a $10 trillion economy by 2047. He also launched a major employment scheme worth Rs 1 lakh crore, under which newly employed youth will receive Rs 15,000 per month, benefiting 3 crore young Indians.
PM Modi also emphasised the importance of developing jet engines, stating, "Just like we made vaccines during COVID, and UPI for digital payments, we should build our own jet engines too." He encouraged scientists and the youth to take this as a direct challenge.
Moreover, PM Modi highlighted the dangers of demographic imbalance due to infiltration and illegal migration in border areas and announced the launch of a High-Powered Demography Mission to address this national security challenge. He also pointed out that a large share of India's budget still goes toward importing petrol, diesel, and gas and announced the launch of the National Deepwater Exploration Mission to tap ocean resources, alongside major expansions in solar, hydrogen, hydro, and nuclear power.
In his 12th Independence Day address, PM Modi presented his vision for "Naya Bharat" (New India) and set the goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. This ambitious plan is backed by significant government funding, multiple fabrication and assembly projects, collaborative industry-academia design efforts, and a clear goal of technological self-sufficiency. By the end of this year, India will roll out its first Made in India chip, marking a significant step towards achieving this vision.
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