India Pushes for Indigenous Semiconductor Manufacturing Machinery – Ashwini Vaishnaw Explains the Next Big Goal
India is looking beyond semiconductor assembly and chip production. The government is now emphasising the need to develop advanced machinery and high-precision components required for semiconductor manufacturing within the country.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted this priority during a visit to Bengaluru-based Ethereal Machines on November 14, 2026.
The development is part of India’s wider effort to build a stronger domestic semiconductor ecosystem and reduce dependence on imported technologies.
Why does India need its own semiconductor machinery?
Semiconductor manufacturing requires highly specialised equipment and components. These machines are used in different stages of chip production and require extremely precise engineering.
Building semiconductor factories is only one part of the challenge. India also needs a domestic supply chain for the machines, tools and precision components used in the manufacturing process.
Developing these capabilities locally could help strengthen India’s electronics and industrial manufacturing sectors.
What did Ashwini Vaishnaw say?
During his visit to Ethereal Machines, the Union Minister stressed that India should manufacture its own advanced machinery and high-precision components.
He said that building these capabilities domestically would strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem and reduce dependence on imports.
The minister also highlighted the role of Indian manufacturing companies in supporting the semiconductor ecosystem.
What is Ethereal Machines?
Ethereal Machines is a Bengaluru-based deep-tech manufacturing company.
According to the Press Information Bureau, the company designs and operates advanced CNC machines and manufactures high-precision industrial components.
The facility reportedly manufactures components with tolerances ranging from 2 microns to 20 microns.
These components have applications in several critical sectors, including:
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- Aerospace
- Defence
- Medical technology
- Electronics
The government noted that some of these specialised components were traditionally manufactured in countries such as Germany and Japan.
How can this development benefit India?
A stronger domestic semiconductor machinery ecosystem could provide several long-term benefits.
1. Reduced dependence on imports
Producing specialised equipment within India could reduce reliance on overseas suppliers for selected components and machinery.
2. More opportunities for Indian manufacturers
Engineering companies, precision component manufacturers and deep-tech startups could gain opportunities to support the semiconductor supply chain.
3. Advanced technology development
Manufacturing high-precision machinery requires advanced engineering, research and skilled technical teams.
4. Stronger electronics manufacturing
A domestic equipment ecosystem could support India’s broader electronics manufacturing ambitions.
What opportunities could this create for engineering professionals?
The semiconductor ecosystem requires more than software developers. It also needs professionals from multiple engineering disciplines.
Potentially relevant career areas include:
- Semiconductor process engineering
- Mechanical design engineering
- CNC programming
- Robotics and automation
- Embedded systems
- Electronics engineering
- Quality control and precision manufacturing
- Industrial software development
Students and working professionals interested in this sector should build strong fundamentals in electronics, manufacturing processes, automation and programming.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does India need semiconductor manufacturing machinery?
Semiconductor production requires specialised machines and precision components. Developing them domestically can strengthen India’s supply chain.
2. Who is promoting domestic semiconductor machinery development?
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted this priority during his visit to Ethereal Machines in Bengaluru.
3. What is Ethereal Machines?
It is a Bengaluru-based deep-tech company that designs advanced CNC machines and manufactures high-precision industrial components.
4. What is the importance of micron-level precision?
Micron-level precision allows components to be manufactured within extremely small dimensional tolerances, which is important for advanced industrial applications.
5. Which careers are connected to the semiconductor industry?
Careers include semiconductor engineering, electronics, embedded systems, robotics, automation, CNC programming and precision manufacturing.
Conclusion
India’s semiconductor ambitions require more than chip factories. Developing the machinery, precision components and engineering capabilities behind chip production will be an important part of building a sustainable domestic ecosystem.
