THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026

Odisha is stepping up efforts to emerge as a major semiconductor and electronics hub, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi holding a series of high-level meetings with global and domestic technology companies and international delegations at SEMICON India 2026.

The state government received investment proposals worth approximately ₹23,600 crore, with the potential to generate around 6,100 employment opportunities, as Odisha sought to build on its growing investment pipeline and attract projects across the semiconductor value chain.

Majhi held discussions with representatives of companies including Lam Research, Applied Materials, SiCSem, 3D Glass Solutions, Cyient, Linde and HORIBA India, besides interacting with delegations from Japan, Sweden and Taiwan.

The engagements also resulted in the signing of a Letter of Intent with QuadQuantum for setting up a semiconductor facility for manufacturing silicon carbide (SiC) substrate wafers. The development is expected to further strengthen Odisha's engagement with the semiconductor and advanced technology ecosystem.

The state is also seeking to move beyond individual projects and develop an integrated semiconductor ecosystem under the broader vision of Semicon 2.0.

As part of the initiative, Majhi announced the development of the Odisha Silicon Valley over 870 acres at Naraj near Cuttack. The proposed hub will host major semiconductor, electronics and information technology projects.

The Naraj site is strategically located along the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar urban corridor and offers access to major ports, including Paradip and Dhamra, as well as key national highways. The state government has positioned the location as a potential hub for semiconductor supply chains, logistics and allied industries.

Its proximity to the Mahanadi River is also being highlighted as an advantage for industries such as semiconductor fabrication and assembly that require substantial quantities of water, besides access to industrial infrastructure and power.

 “Odisha’s semiconductor journey is moving rapidly from intent to implementation. We have been able to attract investments across critical areas of the semiconductor value chain and, importantly, move key projects towards execution,” Majhi said at SEMICON India 2026.

 “At SEMICON India 2026, our discussions with industry leaders are focused on taking this momentum forward and bringing the next set of semiconductor investments to Odisha. We want to build an ecosystem where global and Indian technology companies can manufacture, innovate and grow,” he said.

The Odisha Pavilion at the event showcased the progress of projects involving RIR Power, SiCSem, 3D Glass Solutions and ARF Design, along with semiconductor-related initiatives by educational institutions such as NIT Rourkela and PMEC Brahmapur, which are working on the first batch of Made-in-India chips.

A key attraction at the pavilion is the “Sand to Silicon” installation, which presents Odisha’s semiconductor ambitions through a distinctly state-specific theme. The initiative connects Odisha’s mineral and industrial identity with its aspirations in silicon and advanced technology, reflecting its larger vision of transitioning from a “Mine Economy” to a “Mind Economy”.

The state has also been widening its policy support to attract investments across the semiconductor value chain. Odisha was among the early states to align its semiconductor policy with the evolving India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, with its recent Third Policy Amendment expanding incentives for critical segments.

Under the amended policy, ISM-approved projects in semiconductor equipment manufacturing, semiconductor-grade gases, raw materials and supply-chain segments are eligible for an additional 25 per cent fiscal support. The policy framework also provides assistance for engineer relocation, manpower skilling, internships, international patents and research and development.

Dr Mukesh Mahaling, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Odisha, said the state's approach was to build the ecosystem around semiconductor investments rather than view projects in isolation.

 “Odisha has been an early mover in aligning its policy framework with ISM 2.0, while widening support to areas such as equipment, materials, gases and the supply chain. Alongside this, we are investing in specialised talent and creating the conditions that companies need to set up and scale their operations in the state,” Mahaling said.

With investment proposals, policy incentives, infrastructure development and industry engagements being pursued simultaneously, Odisha is seeking to position itself as a destination for semiconductor manufacturing, electronics production, research and allied supply-chain activities, with the broader objective of contributing to the vision of a developed India.