At the NDTV World Summit, India’s Electronics and IT Minister showcased a small semiconductor wafer and announced that the country is now designing chips at the cutting-edge 2-nanometre technology level. The wafer, roughly the size of a palm, represents India’s growing capabilities in advanced chip design — a milestone that could redefine the nation’s position in the global semiconductor race.
The minister highlighted that India’s digital growth story goes beyond mobile connectivity and fintech expansion. The next stage, he said, is focused on data sovereignty — ensuring that data, data centers, and digital infrastructure remain within India’s control. Drawing a comparison, he remarked that just as oil refineries were vital to industrial economies, data centers now serve as the refineries of the digital age.
Explaining the immense complexity of chip manufacturing, the minister noted that modern semiconductors are nearly invisible to the naked eye — about 10,000 times thinner than a human hair. He compared their structure to that of a miniature city, complete with its own intricate plumbing, electrical wiring, and transport systems.
He also emphasized the high level of precision required in chip production, stating that even a brief power disruption of five minutes could lead to financial losses worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Maintaining extreme purity in the chemicals and gases used — at levels exceeding 500 parts per billion — is equally critical to ensure quality.
By unveiling the 2-nanometre chip, India has taken a major stride toward self-reliance in semiconductor technology. The move signifies the nation’s ambition to evolve from a design hub to a full-scale manufacturer of advanced chips, strengthening its role in the global tech ecosystem.
