India joins global 2nm chip race with ARM design hub in Bengaluru

India has taken a decisive step forward in the semiconductor industry with the inauguration of ARM’s new design office in Bengaluru, which is set to develop advanced 2-nanometre (nm) chip technology. This milestone cements India’s position among a select group of nations working at the frontiers of chip design and underlines the country’s ambitions to become a global semiconductor and electronics hub.

The shift to 2nm technology provides significant improvements in device performance, power efficiency, and miniaturization, which are vital for powering next-generation devices such as AI servers, smartphones, drones, and high-performance computing systems. Smaller transistors enable faster, lighter, and more energy-efficient products—a critical advancement as industries move toward more intelligent and connected technologies.

With this development, India joins a highly exclusive club of countries that are able to conceptualize and develop such advanced chip nodes, a domain long dominated by the leading economies in East Asia, the US, and Europe. The government’s India Semiconductor Mission, with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore, supports these cutting-edge projects as well as ecosystem creation for fabrication, materials, and talent development. India now has 10 semiconductor units under the Mission, with cumulative investments topping ₹1.6 lakh crore across six states.

Recent years have seen the establishment of multiple advanced chip design centres, including those focusing on 3nm technology, and a national emphasis on supporting over 278 institutions in skill-building and innovation in semiconductor design. ARM’s Bengaluru office adds momentum by offering world-class opportunities for Indian engineers and a significant push for local IP creation.

The arrival of 2nm chip design capabilities marks a leap toward self-reliance and the ability to support strategic sectors such as national security, defence, and space exploration, while simultaneously amplifying India’s competitiveness in global supply chains for high-end electronics and AI technologies.

ARM’s Bengaluru office inauguration for 2nm chip design marks an inflection point in India’s semiconductor journey, aligning with national ambitions for technology leadership and economic growth powered by world-class electronics manufacturing and innovation.

CT Bureau