Vaishnaw Urges IT Firms to Tap Global Semiconductor Talent Shortage

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday urged India's IT industry to capitalise on the global shortage of semiconductor professionals , saying the demand for skilled talent presents a major opportunity for the country to strengthen its position in the technology sector.

Addressing industry representatives in Hyderabad, Vaishnaw said the worldwide semiconductor industry faces an estimated shortfall of one million professionals . With India's growing expertise in electronics and software, he said the domestic IT sector is well placed to expand into semiconductor design, engineering and advanced manufacturing.

The minister said the Centre's semiconductor mission has gained momentum under Prime Minister Narendra Modi , with 12 semiconductor plants currently at different stages of development. Of these, three facilities have already begun manufacturing chips , with exports reaching markets in Japan, the United States and Europe .

Highlighting the government's focus on talent development, Vaishnaw said 315 universities have been equipped with advanced semiconductor design tools to prepare students for emerging opportunities.

He noted that electronics exports have become India's third-largest export category , while mobile phones are now the country's biggest exported product. The electronics manufacturing sector has crossed Rs 13 lakh crore in value and is expected to reach Rs 20 lakh crore , employing around 25 lakh people .

Calling for the next phase of growth, Vaishnaw urged the IT industry to move beyond the traditional Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model and embrace "AI as a Service" , leveraging India's trusted global reputation and skilled workforce.

He added that sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electronics manufacturing and advanced infrastructure will drive India's journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 . The minister also stressed stronger collaboration between industry and academia, noting that NASSCOM , in partnership with the government, has prepared an AI curriculum for educational institutions.

Later, Vaishnaw, accompanied by Union Minister G Kishan Reddy , visited the Medha Bogies Factory and Medha Servo Drives facility, where he reviewed manufacturing operations and highlighted India's growing capability to export high-end railway components and propulsion systems to global markets.