leads India’s semiconductor push with 73 chip tape-outs

With 88 lakh hours of EDA tool usage, Karnataka is outpacing other states as government-backed ChipIN infrastructure expands access to chip-design resources for startups, entrepreneurs and academic institutions across India.

Karnataka has emerged as the strongest contributor to India’s growing semiconductor design ecosystem, according to data shared by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The state has received support for 81 organisations and recorded 73 semiconductor chip tape-outs through infrastructure enabled by the ChipIN Centre.

The state also registered 88 lakh hours of electronic design automation (EDA) tool usage, placing it ahead of other states covered in the ministry’s data. The figures point to increasing activity in chip design and development, particularly across regions that have established technology and engineering ecosystems.

Tamil Nadu followed Karnataka with 79 supported organisations and 33 tape-outs, while Telangana recorded 42 supported organisations and 28 tape-outs. Maharashtra reported 32 organisations receiving support, along with 24 tape-outs and 15 lakh hours of EDA tool usage.

Chip design activity expands across states

The ministry also highlighted Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, with each supporting 24 organisations. Uttar Pradesh recorded 21 tape-outs, while Madhya Pradesh registered 18. Kerala, West Bengal, Odisha and Punjab were among the other states included in MeitY’s list of the top 10 states contributing to the semiconductor ecosystem.

MeitY described the trend as evidence of increasing momentum in India’s journey from chip concepts to physical silicon. The growing use of design infrastructure is also aimed at enabling more startups, entrepreneurs and academic institutions to participate in semiconductor development.

At the centre of this effort is the ChipIN Centre at C-DAC, which provides access to specialised semiconductor design resources. These include EDA software, high-performance computing and hardware infrastructure, intellectual property cores and technical expertise.

The centre supports chip-design initiatives under government programmes including the Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme and the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme. By providing shared infrastructure, the initiative seeks to lower the entry barriers associated with semiconductor design and accelerate the transition from research and concepts to functional chips.

Government steps up semiconductor investments

The latest data comes amid a broader expansion of India’s semiconductor strategy. In July, the Union Cabinet approved Semicon 2.0 with a proposed outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore. The programme is designed to strengthen multiple segments of the semiconductor value chain, covering chip design, semiconductor fabrication, assembly and testing, machinery and materials, research and development, and talent development.

With Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana emerging as major centres of chip-design activity, the government is increasingly focusing on building capabilities across the semiconductor value chain. The broader objective is to establish a stronger domestic ecosystem that can support innovation, reduce dependence on overseas capabilities and position India as a competitive player in the global semiconductor industry.