India bets of nano tech to power AI and supercomputing

There are 20 billion transistors in one smartphone, and these are smaller than the size of a human hair. This advancement is leading to supercomputing, quantum computing, and, importantly, artificial intelligence, enabling us to do more computing with less time and energy consumption, Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY (ministry of electronics and information technology), pointed out. He was speaking on the revolution that Nanotechnology has brought into our lives and how the whole world of technology is shrinking at India's first Nano Electronics Roadshow at IISc (Indian Institute of Science) in Bengaluru.

He said under the AI mission through the INUP programme and other initiatives, startups, entrepreneurs, and researchers are solving real-world problems, driving India to the forefront of cutting-edge technology. “Together, with the pioneering efforts of institutions like IISc Bengaluru, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and others, we are building an ecosystem that ensures India remains a leader in this revolution,” said Singh.

The critical role of MeitY’s Nano Centers and how it was fostering innovation and talent development to build a semiconductor-ready workforce of 85,000 professionals were also highlighted during the roadshow.

“India’s semiconductor demand, currently at $45-50 billion, is expected to reach $100-110 billion by 2030. Expanding domestic production will not only meet local needs but also position India as a key player in global exports,” remarked S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY.

A key focus of the ministry is to align various efforts to advance the India Semiconductor Mission which is one of the world’s most extensive subsidy and grant programmes. “With nearly 70-75 per cent of investments in major semiconductor facilities coming from taxpayer money, every Indian is a stakeholder in this mission. 20 per cent of work force in semiconductor design resides in India,” added Krishnan.

In order to accelerate this, MeitY is enhancing the design-linked incentive scheme beyond startups and MSMEs, attracting global talent, and co-investing with venture capitalists to scale up semiconductor design and manufacturing.

The Nano Centers established by MeitY at IISc Bengaluru and IITs (Bombay, Madras, Kharagpur, Guwahati and Kharagpur) are driving India’s edge in the deep-tech race, fostering breakthrough technologies and strategic advancements.

At the Nano Electronics Roadshow held at IISc Bengaluru, these academic hubs demonstrated their impact by bridging research with real-world applications, featuring different demos presented by students from the Nano Centers.

The roadshow served as a platform for over 700 industry leaders, policymakers, and academics to explore areas of collaboration around strategies for strengthening India’s nanoelectronics ecosystem.