India News

India to start first commercial semiconductor chip production in 2026, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

India is on track to begin its first commercial semiconductor chip production in 2026, with pilot production already underway and investments nearing $90 billion, according to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Published

3 months ago

January 24, 2026

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Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said India remains on schedule to begin commercial semiconductor chip production in 2026, in line with the targets outlined under the India Semiconductor Mission launched in January 2022.

Speaking to media, the minister said the government had committed to starting commercial production within five years of the mission’s launch and that the timeline is being met.

“The first commercial production will begin in 2026. Four semiconductor plants are expected to start operations this year, while pilot production has already begun at three plants in 2025,” Vaishnaw said.

Semiconductor ecosystem taking shape

The minister said India’s semiconductor ecosystem is developing rapidly, with global equipment manufacturers setting up operations in the country and a strong materials manufacturing base emerging alongside.

He added that the talent pipeline is progressing faster than expected. Against a target of training 85,000 skilled professionals over 10 years, India has already trained around 65,000 people in just four years, he said.

Vaishnaw noted that several milestones under the first phase of the Semiconductor Mission are either on track or ahead of schedule, reflecting growing confidence in India’s manufacturing ambitions.

Investments near $90 billion, more expected

On the investment front, the minister said total investments in the semiconductor sector have reached close to USD 90 billion so far. He added that committed investments could rise to around USD 150 billion as India approaches the upcoming AI Impact Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi from February 16 to 20.

According to Vaishnaw, global semiconductor players are increasingly supportive of India’s efforts and are keen to participate in the country’s expanding chip manufacturing ecosystem.

ASML equipment for Dholera fab

Highlighting the importance of advanced manufacturing technology, Vaishnaw spoke about his visit to Veldhoven in the Netherlands, where he visited the headquarters of ASML, the world’s leading supplier of lithography equipment used in semiconductor manufacturing.

He said lithography remains the most complex and precision-intensive process in chip production and confirmed that India’s upcoming semiconductor fabrication facility in Dholera, Gujarat, will use equipment supplied by ASML.

Vaishnaw said the interest of global equipment manufacturers in India reflects the country’s strong design capabilities, large talent pool and consistent policy environment.

India’s progress in AI and global confidence

The minister also highlighted India’s growing role in artificial intelligence, stating that the country is developing strength across multiple layers of the AI stack, including applications, sovereign models, chips and infrastructure.

He said global industry leaders expressed strong confidence in India’s semiconductor and AI journey during discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, with many indicating their willingness to contribute to India’s long-term goals.

The India Semiconductor Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet in December 2021 with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore, aims to support semiconductor fabrication, display manufacturing and chip design, and position India as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and innovation.

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India News

Turnout crosses 80% in Bengal and Tamil Nadu till 5 PM in key elections

Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu elections witness strong voter turnout, crossing 80% with largely peaceful polling.

Published

6 hours ago

April 23, 2026

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Polling for the 2026 Assembly elections is underway in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, with voters turning out in large numbers across key constituencies.

In West Bengal, voting is being held across 152 constituencies, with around 3.6 crore voters expected to participate in this phase. Security arrangements were tightened, and long queues of voters were seen at polling stations from early morning.

Turnout rises steadily through the day

Voter participation increased consistently as polling progressed. By afternoon, turnout had crossed the halfway mark in both states, indicating steady engagement.

As per latest updates till 5 PM, West Bengal recorded 89.92% turnout, while Tamil Nadu reported 82.24% voter participation.

Large electorate participates in phase 1

In West Bengal, nearly 3.6 crore eligible voters took part in the first phase across several districts, including Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri.

Tamil Nadu is witnessing a three-way contest between the DMK-led alliance, the AIADMK-BJP alliance, and actor Vijay’s entry into the political space.

Sporadic incidents reported

Polling has been largely peaceful, though isolated incidents were reported, including an attack on BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul’s car and a boycott reported in parts of Tamil Nadu.

Despite these disruptions, voting continued without major interruptions, and authorities maintained overall control.

High-stakes political contest

The elections are being closely watched as major political parties compete for power. West Bengal is witnessing a closely fought contest, while in Tamil Nadu, key regional rivals are battling for control of the state Assembly.

The outcome is expected to play an important role in shaping the political landscape of both states.

Education

UP Board result 2026 declared: Class 10 pass rate at 90.42%, class 12 at 80.38%

UP Board 2026 results are out with strong pass rates. Here’s how to check your score and key highlights.

Published

7 hours ago

April 23, 2026

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The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad has declared the UP Board Class 10 and Class 12 results for 2026 on April 23 at 4 pm.

This year, more than 52 lakh students registered for the exams, including over 27 lakh candidates in Class 10 and nearly 25 lakh in Class 12. The examinations were conducted between February 18 and March 12 across around 8,000 centres in the state.

Pass percentage and performance trends

The overall performance remains strong:

Class 10 pass percentage: 90.42%
Class 12 pass percentage: 80.38%

Girls have once again outperformed boys in both classes, continuing the trend seen in previous years.

How to check UP Board result 2026

Students can access their results through official platforms by following these steps:

Visit the official website: upmsp.edu.in or upresults.nic.in
Click on the result link for Class 10 or Class 12
Enter roll number and required details
View and download the provisional marksheet

Alternatively, results are also available via DigiLocker and other digital platforms.

What students should do after results

Students are advised to:

Download and print the provisional marksheet immediately
Collect the original marksheet from their respective schools later
Apply for re-evaluation or compartment exams if required

India News

Voting underway in West Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu as turnout crosses 50% by afternoon

Voter turnout crosses 50% in West Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu as polling continues across key constituencies.

Published

11 hours ago

April 23, 2026

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Voting is underway in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu as the 2026 assembly elections see active participation from voters across both states. In West Bengal, the first phase of polling is being held across 152 constituencies in 16 districts, marking the beginning of a multi-phase election process.

Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, is witnessing single-phase polling across all 234 assembly seats, making it a crucial electoral day for the state.

Polling began in the morning with voters arriving at booths early, and arrangements were in place to ensure smooth voting.

Turnout figures show steady participation

As voting progressed, turnout figures indicated moderate to strong participation in both states.

West Bengal recorded around 62.2% voter turnout by 1 pm
Tamil Nadu saw approximately 56.8% turnout by the same time

Earlier in the day, initial turnout trends showed gradual momentum as queues built up at polling stations.

High-stakes contest in both states

The elections are significant for major political parties in both regions.

In West Bengal, the contest remains largely between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with several key constituencies drawing attention. Around 3.6 crore voters are eligible to vote in this phase, highlighting the scale of the exercise.

Tamil Nadu’s election features a traditional contest between the DMK and AIADMK alliances, with the outcome expected to shape the state’s political direction.

Security and arrangements in place

Authorities have deployed security personnel and made logistical arrangements to ensure peaceful polling. Reports indicate that voting is largely proceeding smoothly, with monitoring systems in place across sensitive areas.

The election process in West Bengal will continue with the second phase scheduled for April 29, while Tamil Nadu will conclude voting in a single day.