Parts manufacturing, AI methods, key challenges for Weischnau – Industry news

Ashwini Vaishnav's retention as Secretary to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is expected to lead to faster implementation of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP) and the government's Semiconductor Mission. Additionally, component manufacturing will further deepen the electronics manufacturing ecosystem.

An additional area of ​​focus is strengthening artificial intelligence Domestic manufacturing of AI chipsets may be considered in the future. AI chipsets essentially refer to the Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) that are essential for creating AI models that require large-scale calculations. Currently, the US and China lead in the computing infrastructure required to develop AI technology..

US's Nvidia dominates the GPU market Its market share is around 88%, but there is a 12-18 month delay in getting GPUs from the company due to high demand across the globe.

Another key issue will be enabling major technology companies to set up megacampuses in the country and build factories producing a range of products.

Vaishnav will continue to focus on semiconductors with a new package. The Indian government has set up a Rs 76,000 crore investment plan. As part of the semiconductor mission, the government has so far approved four chip projects, including one by Micron, two chip projects by the Tata Group and a chip assembly project by CG Power.

The ministry will also consider approval of semiconductor projects planned to boost chip assembly and manufacturing in the country.

IndiaAI mission, AI regulation through amendments to guidelines and IT rules, Digital India Bill, reforms at Semiconductor Laboratories (SCL), Mohali, guidelines on non-personal data, regulatory framework for online gaming industryalso features in Vaishnaw's priority list.

Another focus will be on a decision regarding the expansion of the Smartphone PLI scheme, which the government plans to gradually replace with a component scheme, officials said.

Of the 14 PLI schemes, the Smartphone PLI has been the most successful. It has helped increase domestic production of mobile phones from Rs 2.14 trillion in FY20, the fiscal year before the scheme was announced, to Rs 4.1 trillion in FY24. Smartphone exports from India increased from Rs 27,225 crore in FY20 to Rs 1.2 trillion in FY24.

Semiconductor and electronics industry executives have hailed Vaishnav's continued tenure as MeitY minister, with analysts saying he will ensure policy certainty and sound decision-making given his expertise in the sector.

Pankaj Mohindroo, president of Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), said, “The industry is extremely happy with the Prime Minister's decision to continue the incumbent ministers in key positions.”

He said continuity in policy-making, governance approaches and key priorities across the Ministries of Finance, Commerce, Economy and Environment was crucial to investor confidence and growth.

“This administration's term so far has been particularly fruitful for India's electronics manufacturing industry. We share the government's vision and will continue to work towards growing India's electronics supply chain, including its design capabilities,” Optimus Electronics managing director A Gururaj said.