India needs coordinating agency to bridge chip research-industry gap: Singapore expert

India's semiconductor ecosystem is developing at an accelerated pace with growing momentum from government, research institutions, and industry players, creating significant opportunities for international collaboration and investment, Navab Singh, Deputy Executive Director (Research) at Singapore's A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics, said on Tuesday.

Singh noted that Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore are making substantial investments in semiconductor research and manpower development, while domestic manufacturers including Tata Electronics are scaling up production capacity. This multi-pronged approach is positioning India as an emerging player in the global semiconductor supply chain.

However, Singh flagged a critical gap in India's semiconductor development strategy. "An umbrella agency would help translate research into industry applications and accelerate commercialisation," he said, highlighting the need for better coordination between academic institutions and the private sector.

A*STAR IME is already collaborating with IIT Kharagpur on joint research initiatives, serving as a model for the kind of institutional partnerships that could strengthen India's semiconductor capabilities. Such collaborations are seen as essential to converting India's research strengths into competitive manufacturing and design advantages in the global market.