Qualcomm Technologies has achieved a significant milestone by completing the tape-out of its 2nm semiconductor design, showcasing India’s growing role in advanced chip design.
Qualcomm Technologies, a leading American chipmaker, has announced the successful tape-out of its 2nm semiconductor design. This achievement marks a pivotal moment in advanced chip design and highlights India’s rapidly expanding semiconductor ecosystem.
The breakthrough was developed with substantial contributions from Qualcomm’s engineering centers located in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. This accomplishment reinforces India’s emerging status as a global hub for cutting-edge chip design.
According to Qualcomm, this milestone reflects the depth of its engineering presence in India, which has become the company’s largest engineering footprint outside the United States. The achievement underscores India’s expanding role in advanced semiconductor innovation.
The milestone was showcased at Qualcomm’s facility in Bengaluru during a visit from Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Indian Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and IT. Vaishnaw remarked that “India is increasingly at the center of how advanced semiconductor technologies are being designed for the future.” He described the development as a testament to the growing maturity of the country’s design ecosystem and its ambition to establish a globally competitive semiconductor industry.
Qualcomm has invested in India for over two decades, building extensive capabilities in wireless technology, computing, artificial intelligence, and system-level engineering. The company’s teams in India contribute to various aspects of design implementation, validation, AI optimization, and system integration, supporting global architecture and platforms that power billions of devices worldwide.
Amitesh Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and IT and CEO of the India Semiconductor Mission, stated, “India’s Semiconductor Mission is progressing with strong momentum, supported by a strengthening design ecosystem and sustained industry participation.” He emphasized that investments in advanced engineering and research and development capabilities are crucial for building long-term semiconductor capacity in the country.
Sinha further noted that Qualcomm’s long-term commitment to India reflects the growing depth of the country’s semiconductor design ecosystem and contributes to India’s broader ambition of becoming a globally competitive hub for semiconductor innovation.
Srini Maddali, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Qualcomm India, described the 2nm tape-out as a validation of the engineering talent available in the country. “Working closely with global program and architecture teams on advanced semiconductor design requires the very best talent, and our India teams consistently deliver at a global standard,” he said.
Qualcomm’s research and development centers in India now contribute across multiple layers of system design, from architecture to software platforms and AI-driven use-case optimization. This is particularly critical in an era characterized by intelligent and connected systems.
The successful tape-out of the 2nm chip design comes at a time when India is intensifying its efforts to position itself as a global semiconductor hub. This initiative is supported by policy measures, ecosystem incentives, and industry partnerships. Qualcomm’s latest milestone adds momentum to this push, signaling that India is not just assembling chips for the world but is increasingly involved in designing the future of semiconductor technology.
Qualcomm, headquartered in San Diego, has maintained a presence in India for over 20 years, during which it has developed one of its largest engineering capabilities outside the United States. This long-standing investment underscores the company’s commitment to fostering innovation and development within India’s semiconductor landscape.
The developments at Qualcomm highlight the potential for India to become a key player in the global semiconductor industry, as the nation continues to build its capabilities and attract investment.
According to The American Bazaar, Qualcomm’s advancements are a significant step forward for India’s semiconductor ambitions.