Akash Tripathi appointed CEO of India Semiconductor Mission

Akash Tripathi, currently serving as the Chief Executive of MyGov, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), effective 9 October.

This development, which was officially announced by the Information Technology (IT) ministry on 22 September, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s quest to establish a robust semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.

The outgoing CEO of ISM, Amitesh Kumar Sinha, will conclude his tenure on 4 October. Since its inception in 2021, ISM has played a pivotal role in advancing the semiconductor landscape within India. With a substantial allocation of USD 10 billion from the government, ISM has been diligently screening applications from semiconductor manufacturers and determining eligibility for subsidies, thus fostering a conducive environment for semiconductor growth within the country.

The IT ministry has conferred ISM with comprehensive administrative and financial powers, entrusting it with the critical responsibility of catalysing India’s semiconductor ecosystem. This ecosystem encompasses all aspects of semiconductor development, including manufacturing, packaging and design. ISM operates under the guidance of an advisory board composed of renowned global experts in the semiconductor field, further emphasising its importance as the nodal agency for facilitating the seamless implementation of India’s semiconductor development program.

As part of this program, the government has also given the green light for the modernisation of the Semiconductor Laboratory in Mohali, transforming it into a brownfield Fab, which is expected to significantly contribute to India’s semiconductor capabilities.

Recent groundbreaking ceremonies, such as the one for a USD 2.75 billion semiconductor facility by Micron in Sanand, Gujarat, have further underscored India’s commitment to semiconductor manufacturing. This facility is on track to become operational by the end of 2024 and is expected to substantially boost India’s semiconductor production capacity.

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, during the Micron facility’s inauguration, revealed that two additional major semiconductor projects are currently in progress, with expectations of materializing in the near future. These projects are strategically focused on areas where India has the potential to emerge as a global leader within the semiconductor industry.

Vaishnaw also highlighted that global semiconductor companies are increasingly recognizing the progress made by India in this sector. Furthermore, he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonstrated ability to execute complex policy decisions, which is playing a pivotal role in positioning India as a significant player in the global semiconductor arena. BW Businessworld