Bringing you quick updates on the tech space, policy making and digital rights from India and across the globe. Can India fill the supply gap in silicon chips? The world is facing a shortfall of silicon chips as manufacturers were disrupted by the pandemic last year. The world’s largest chipmaker Intel on Monday said that it is discussions with chip design firms to start manufacturing at Intel factories within the next six to nine months. It also said is in talks with auto-manufacturers to supply them silicon chips, even as electric vehicle manufacturers shut shop due to a dearth in semiconductor supplies. The Indian government, on the other hand, has been trying to attract manufacturers to set up shop in India as part of its Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign. It had announced a production-linked incentives (PLI) scheme for 10 key sectors including electronics, telecom, automotive and auto components. And late last year, the government also floated a request for a proposal (expression of interest) for the manufacturing of 1 million GPS and NavIC chips. Recently, government officials said that they would give more than $1 billion in cash incentives to companies who set up chip manufacturing units in India. As China dominates the semi-conductor market, the Biden led administration has conducted review of the semiconductor supply chain to identify risks, it announced a $50 billion incentive scheme for manufacturing and research in the space and has introduced legislation that aims to redefine the industry. Can India fulfill the world demand for…
