India marked a major milestone in the global semiconductor space as US-based chipmaker Qualcomm Technologies successfully completed the design of its 2-nanometre (2nm) chip. What makes the achievement significant is that the advanced chip has been designed by Qualcomm’s engineering teams based in India.
Union Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw visited Qualcomm’s Bengaluru campus to mark the occasion, calling it a strong signal of India’s growing capabilities in advanced semiconductor design.
What Ashwini Vaishnaw said
Speaking at the event, Ashwini Vaishnaw said the development shows how India is rapidly moving beyond traditional IT services into end-to-end semiconductor design and deep-technology innovation.
“Indian engineers are now working on some of the world’s most advanced chip technologies. This reflects the strength of our talent pool and the impact of focused government policies,” the minister said.
He added that India’s semiconductor ecosystem is expanding steadily and will play a key role in the country’s economic and technological future.
What is a 2-nanometre chip?
The term nanometre refers to the size of the tiny components, called transistors, inside a chip.
The smaller the nanometre number, the more powerful and energy-efficient the chip.
Key features of a 2nm chip:
- Packs billions of transistors into a very small area
- Delivers higher performance and faster processing
- Consumes less power
- Ideal for artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, advanced smartphones and next-generation devices
At present, 2nm technology is among the most advanced chip technologies in the world.
India’s growing role in Qualcomm’s chip design
Qualcomm confirmed that the 2nm chip design was completed with major contributions from its India-based engineering centres in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai.
According to the company:
- India hosts Qualcomm’s largest engineering workforce outside the United States
- Thousands of Indian engineers work on chip architecture, AI, wireless technologies and system design
While Qualcomm has achieved design milestones in India earlier as well, completing a 2nm design represents a significant leap in complexity and capability.
Why “tape-out” matters
In the semiconductor industry, tape-out refers to the final stage of chip design, after which the design is sent for manufacturing.
Achieving tape-out at the 2nm level is extremely challenging. It requires:
- Highly precise design
- Advanced electronic design tools
- Deep engineering expertise
This milestone confirms that India’s semiconductor design skills are now competitive at the highest global level.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Technologies is a US-based semiconductor and wireless technology company best known for its Snapdragon processors, which power a large share of the world’s smartphones.
- Its chips are used in smartphones, laptops, automobiles, IoT devices and network equipment
- Qualcomm focuses on chip design and software, while manufacturing is handled by partner foundries
- India has emerged as a key research and design hub for the company
Boost to India’s semiconductor policy
During the visit, Ashwini Vaishnaw also referred to the government’s Semicon India Mission.
- Semicon India Mission 1.0 focused on talent development and early ecosystem building
- Semicon India Mission 2.0 aims to strengthen the entire semiconductor value chain, including design, manufacturing, materials and equipment
The government’s goal is to position India as a global semiconductor hub while creating high-value jobs and reducing dependence on imports.
Why this development is important for India
Qualcomm’s 2nm chip design is more than a corporate achievement. It highlights India’s growing presence in advanced, high-value technology development.
The milestone is expected to:
- Strengthen India’s image as a global chip design destination
- Encourage higher R&D investment by global technology companies
- Support growth in AI, 5G, automotive electronics and future digital technologies
Outcome
The successful design of Qualcomm’s 2-nanometre chip in India underlines a clear shift in the country’s technology journey. India is no longer just a consumer or service provider in the tech world. It is steadily becoming a creator of cutting-edge semiconductor technology, capable of contributing at the highest level of global innovation.
Source: PIB Press
