A major highlight of the conference was the international keynote address by Professor John C. Warner, globally recognized as the Co-Founder of Green Chemistry and President, Beyond Benign, USA. Addressing the distinguished audience, Professor Warner emphasized that Green Chemistry is fundamentally about designing safer chemical products and processes that eliminate hazardous substances at the source rather than managing pollution after it occurs. He underscored that innovation, education and cross-sector collaboration are indispensable for creating sustainable industrial systems that deliver both environmental protection and economic prosperity.

Welcoming the gathering, Shri Abhay Kumar Srivastava, Chair, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Committee and Senior President – Operations, Mankind Pharma, emphasized that Green Chemistry has evolved from an environmental aspiration into an industrial necessity. He highlighted that sustainable manufacturing enhances competitiveness, improves resource efficiency and strengthens India’s position as a global manufacturing hub while stressing the importance of collaboration among industry, government and academia.

Dr. Shailaja Donempudi, Scientist & Head–BDG, CSIR, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, underscored the need to accelerate Green Chemistry adoption through stronger industry–academia partnerships, technology commercialization and enabling policy support. She emphasized that financial incentives, standardized certification systems and scaling of innovative green technologies are essential to building a globally competitive and sustainable chemical manufacturing ecosystem.

Dr. Suman Mazumdar, Scientist ‘D’, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, highlighted the Government of India’s initiatives to promote Green Chemistry through research funding, technology commercialization and collaborative innovation. He elaborated on flagship programmes such as PACE, PRISM and CRTDH, while showcasing successful innovations from CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR–NCL) and IIT Patna in continuous flow manufacturing, sustainable oil spill remediation and PET plastic recycling.

The programme was further enriched by the presence of Prof. Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Former Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, and Director, Green Chemistry Network Centre, who highlighted India’s immense potential to emerge as a global leader in sustainable chemical sciences through innovation, interdisciplinary research and responsible industrial practices.

The inaugural session was moderated by Dr. Nasir Jamal, Director, PHDCCI, who emphasized the growing importance of Green Chemistry in driving sustainable industrial transformation and called for stronger collaboration among government, industry and academia to accelerate the adoption of environmentally responsible technologies.

The conference featured two technical sessions focused on technology and policy. The first session, “Green Chemistry Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing,” moderated by Dr. Mymoona Akhter, Professor (Medicinal Chemistry), Jamia Hamdard, featured Dr. Rohit Chakravarty (Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.), who showcased continuous flow chemistry for greener pharmaceutical manufacturing; Dr. G. S. Kapur (Former Executive Director–R&D, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. and Advisor–R&D, GAIL India Limited), who highlighted India’s potential to become a global hub for sustainable bioplastics; Dr. Mohan Prasad (Walter Bushnell), who discussed biocatalysis and advanced process technologies for environmentally responsible manufacturing; and Shri Prabodh Swain (Q-Line Biotech Ltd.), who emphasized enzyme engineering and synthetic biology as key drivers of sustainable bio-based manufacturing.

The second technical session, “Enabling Green Chemistry Adoption: Policy, Standards and Market Drivers,” moderated by Shri Namit Joshi, Chairman, Pharmexcil, featured Dr. Shilpi Gupta (BIRAC), who highlighted BIRAC’s support for startups, MSMEs and researchers through funding mechanisms and the BioE3 Policy, and Dr. Neeraj Kumar (Mankind Pharma), who emphasized integrating Green Chemistry and ESG principles into pharmaceutical process design through solvent recycling, waste valorization and innovation in complex molecules.

The Roundtable concluded with a collective commitment from government, industry, academia and research institutions to accelerate Green Chemistry adoption, promote sustainable innovation and strengthen India’s leadership in environmentally responsible chemical manufacturing. Participants expressed confidence that the deliberations and recommendations emerging from the conference would contribute to future policy development and support India’s transition towards a globally competitive, sustainable chemical industry.

Since every region has its own identity, customs, and what it wants to become, the campaign includes localized creatives made for different states. So the brand message feels more familiar and easier to relate to for consumers across India. And by leaning into regional culture and daily routines, Thermocool wants to form deeper emotional bonds with households while showcasing its range of innovative and reliable home appliances.

This initiative also continues Thermocool’s consumer-first mindset, as India’s cultures can look different from state to state, but the wish for comfortable, modern living is kind of universal. Through this initiative, the brand tries to celebrate the individuality of every region while at the same time pushing and reinforcing its presence in markets across the country in a more steady way.

On the launch,Mr. Tanuj Gupta, Director of Sales, Thermocool Home Appliances. said,, “India’s diversity is its biggest strength, and each state has a distinct way of life that truly should be celebrated. With ‘India Ka Naya Andaz,’ we really wanted to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and craft communication that connects well with people on a local level. As a token of appreciation for the trust our customers place in us, we’re also offering vouchers worth up to ₹11,000, making this celebration even more rewarding. This campaign shows our dedication to understanding our consumers, while we deliver innovative home appliances that fit in with their changing routines.”

According to Mr. Tushar Gupta, Director Operations, Thermocool Home Appliances, “At Thermocool, every campaign is backed by our commitment to delivering a seamless customer experience. ‘India Ka Naya Andaz’ reflects not only our growing presence across the country but also our ability to serve consumers through a strong operational and distribution network. As we continue to expand, our focus remains on making reliable and innovative home appliances accessible to households across India.”  

Under the leadership of Rajeev Kumar Gupta, the brand has consistently focused on enhancing consumer engagement through impactful, high-visibility campaigns and strategic market expansion

With a portfolio that keeps expanding across air coolers, refrigerators, washing machines, LED televisions, and kitchen appliances, Thermocool continues to reinforce its position as a trusted home appliance brand. Under ‘India Ka Naya Andaz,’ the company also reiterates its vision of bringing innovation, comfort, and meaningful consumer engagement into homes throughout India.

Hyderabad: 16 July 2026 — Zithara.AI, an AI native customer engagement platform for offline retailers, announced a strategic partnership with Palmonas to enhance customer engagement through data driven solutions across the brand’s retail operations.

As part of the partnership, Palmonas will implement Zithara.AI’s AI native CRM platform to unify customer data across multiple touchpoints, enabling a single, consolidated view of customer interactions. The platform will support intelligent customer segmentation, automated engagement workflows, and personalised communication designed to improve customer retention and increase repeat purchases. The deployment is aimed at creating a more structured and consistent approach to customer engagement as the brand continues to scale.

The integration will allow Palmonas to capture and analyse customer data across online and offline touchpoints, enabling targeted campaigns, timely follow ups, and more relevant communication across the customer lifecycle. By helping bridge the gap between digital customer enquiries and physical store visits, the platform will support improved customer conversions, strengthen retention, and enable more effective customer journeys that contribute to revenue growth.

Speaking about the partnership Mr. Hitesh Magoo, CMO, Demifine Fashion Pvt Ltd. said, “At Palmonas, our focus has always been on creating meaningful customer experiences while expanding our retail presence. As more customers discover brands through digital channels, one of the biggest opportunities for offline retailers is converting that interest into store walk ins and lasting customer relationships. We were looking for a platform that could intelligently manage customer engagement across multiple stores while helping us improve walk in conversions and long term customer retention. Zithara.AI’s AI native platform aligns with these objectives by enabling more personalised customer interactions that support stronger conversions, increased store walk ins, and sustainable revenue growth. We look forward to leveraging its capabilities to build deeper customer relationships as we continue to scale our retail footprint.”

Varun Kashyap, Co-Founder, Zithara.AI, said, “We are pleased to partner with Palmonas as they continue to expand their retail presence. Our platform is built to help brands organise and leverage their customer data to drive structured, consistent, and personalised engagement. This partnership reflects the growing focus among offline retailers on using technology to strengthen customer relationships and improve retention.”

Sridevi Reddy, Co-founder, Zithara.AI, added: “Our focus is on enabling offline retailers to become more data driven and customer centric. Through this partnership, we aim to help Palmonas build stronger customer connections and deliver more personalised experiences at scale.”

The partnership marks a continued focus by both companies on leveraging AI native capabilities to strengthen customer engagement and support revenue growth in offline retail environments. By integrating Zithara.AI’s platform, Palmonas aims to build a more connected, efficient, and scalable customer engagement framework aligned with its growth plans.

·        The brand value rises 31.3 per cent to$8.48 billion, the highest growth among India’s Top 20 brands, making the Adani Group the country’s third-most valuable conglomerate.

·        Adani Power is India’s No. 1 most valuable energy brand while Adani Green Energy and Adani Energy Solutions join it among the country’s Top Five energy brands.

·        A Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 84 places Brand Adani alongside India’s leading consumer and retail brands.

July 16, 2026; Mumbai, India: Brand Finance, the world’s leading independent brand valuation consultancy, has ranked the Adani Group among India’s Top 10 Most Valuable Brands for the first time, while naming Adani Power as the country’s No. 1 energy brand in the “Brand Finance India 100 Report 2026.”

In their Brand Valuation India Report, last year, Brand Adani was recognized as “India’s fastest-growing brand in 2025.

The Adani Group secured Rank #8, rising from #13 last year, becoming the fastest company to break into India’s Top 10 in just three years.

Brand Finance has valued the Adani Group at $8.48 billion (net of approximately $500 million relating to Adani Wilmar and associated consumer-facing brands), up from $6.46 billion a year ago. The 31.3 per cent uptick is the highest among India’s Top 20 brands, making the Adani Group the country’s third-most valuable conglomerate. The Group has also recorded the steepest three-year climb among India’s Top 25 most valuable brands, advancing 15 positions during the period. Over the past year alone, it has added $2.02 billion in brand value—more than its entire valuation in 2022.

Adani Power has emerged as India’s most valuable energy brand, with its brand value surging 152 per cent to $1.8 billion. Reinforcing the Group’s leadership in the sector, Adani Green Energy and Adani Energy Solutions also feature among India’s Top Five energy brands, while Adani Total Gas further strengthens the Group’s presence in the rankings.

Commenting on the rankings, Alex Haigh, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Brand Finance, said: “The Adani Group’s entry into India’s top 10 most valuable brands reflects the strength of a business that has become deeply embedded in India’s growth story. Through its expanding presence across infrastructure, logistics and energy, the Group has built a powerful portfolio of brands supporting some of the country’s most important economic priorities.”

The report has also highlighted the Adani Group’s rising Brand Strength Index (BSI). Its score climbed 3.6 points to 84, lifting the Group eight places to Rank #18. Among India’s Top 20 companies, the Group recorded the fastest gain in Brand Strength, placing the diversified conglomerate alongside some of India’s most established consumer and retail brands—a reflection of growing familiarity, trust and stakeholder confidence.

The rankings are derived from Brand Finance’s globally recognised methodology, which combines consumer perception, brand impact and forecast revenues to assess long-term brand value.

The “Brand Finance India 100 Report 2026” has valued India’s 100 leading brands at a record $252.8 billion, underpinned by continued investment in digital transformation, manufacturing, infrastructure and innovation. Within this landscape, the Adani Group has emerged as one of the year’s standout performers, driven by sustained expansion across infrastructure, energy and logistics.

Under the project, Servotech has been allocated 12 locations of 75 kW each with a total allocated capacity of 900 kW. Under the scope of the project, Servotech Renewable will be responsible for the design, supply, installation, commissioning, and Maintenance of Hybrid solar systems with BESS across the locations. The hybrid solar systems, integrated with battery energy storage, are designed to provide reliable and uninterrupted clean energy while reducing dependence on conventional power sources.

The project aligns with the state’s continued focus on decentralised renewable energy adoption and is expected to strengthen energy access across rural communities by promoting sustainable and resilient power infrastructure.

Commenting on the development, Sarika Bhatia, Whole-Time Director, Servotech Renewable Power System Ltd., said, “We are excited to work with the UPSRLM on this initiative. Reliable access to clean energy has the potential to transform rural communities, and we are proud to contribute to that vision through our hybrid solar solutions. This project reflects our commitment to delivering sustainable energy infrastructure that empowers communities while supporting state’s transition towards renewable energy excellence and accelerating the adoption of solar power across the country.”

Bengaluru, India, 15 July 2026: UST, a leading AI and technology transformation solutions company, has been conferred with seven awards at the ETHRWorld Future Skills Awards 2026 across organizational and individual categories. The recognition across different leadership categories underscores UST’s commitment to building future-ready talent and continuously strengthening capabilities that drive client value.

The ET Future Skills Awards (ETFSA) honour organizations driving impactful learning and talent development initiatives that empower people, build future-ready capabilities, and shape the workplaces of tomorrow. UST has been honoured with four awards in the Organizational category – India’s Future Skills Impact Award, ‘Gold’ in Best Innovative Leadership Development Program, ‘Silver’ in Best Generative AI Learning Solution, and Excellence in AI-Driven Learning & Analytics.  In the Individual category, UST received ‘Gold’ in Visionary Women L&D Leader – Mary Mathew and ‘Silver’ in Visionary Women L&D Leader – Krishna Ahir, and NextGen Learning Leader – Under 40 – Rajit Rangan.

“These awards are not just a celebration of learning programs; they are a recognition of the capability movement we are building at UST. The future belongs to organizations that can learn faster than change, build strategic skills ahead of demand, and translate learning into measurable business impact. At G.A. Menon Academy, our aspiration is to make continuous learning a cultural advantage and capability-building a strategic engine for UST’s future growth,” said Krishnan Nilakantan, Chief Learning Officer, UST.

The industry validation through the ET HRWorld Awards matters more at a time when skills are becoming a key source of competitive advantage. It recognizes UST’s programs that are designed to contribute to the internal growth as well as setting a benchmark in developing the larger talent and learning ecosystem. The achievements reflect the depth of leadership, innovation, and learning excellence at UST.

UST’s learning ecosystem is driven through the G.A. Menon Academy (GAMA), which shapes enterprise capability. The Learning and Development initiatives at UST have been steadily evolving from a traditional learning delivery model to a more strategic capability-building engine focusing on building future skills, enabling leadership effectiveness, accelerating AI adoption and readiness, and driving measurable organizational impact, closely aligned with business priorities.

New Delhi, July 2026: As India-UK CETA takes effect, PHDCCI launches its PHDCCI Research: Strategic Business and Market Intelligence Series with India–UK CETA: A Strategic Guide to Export Opportunities and Market Access.

The PHDCCI report provides a comprehensive assessment of the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement covering bilateral trade patterns, revealed comparative advantage, sectoral competitiveness, Rules of Origin, market access conditions, technology collaboration, consumer trends, trade indicators and policy recommendations aimed at maximising the benefits of the agreement for Indian industry.

The report indicates that the United Kingdom continues to remain one of India’s most important export destinations. During FY2024-25, India’s exports to the UK reached US$14.55 billion, generating a trade surplus of nearly US$6 billion. Although trade moderated in FY2025-26, the agreement is expected to provide renewed momentum by reducing market access barriers, improving customs procedures, and facilitating greater integration of bilateral value chains.

According to the report, India’s export basket to the UK is increasingly shifting towards higher-value manufacturing products, supported by industrial policies, production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes, and improving global competitiveness. Smartphones, pharmaceuticals, aluminium oxide, petroleum products, engineering goods, machinery components, footwear and processed agricultural products are emerging as major drivers of export growth.

The study finds that India possesses a strong and rising comparative advantage in several export-oriented sectors. The country’s competitiveness has strengthened significantly in smartphones, aluminium oxide (HS 281820), pharmaceuticals, jewellery, footwear and auto components, reflecting improvements in manufacturing capability, availability of raw materials, domestic value addition and supportive industrial policies.

The report also highlights that India’s export structure complements the UK’s import requirements. The Trade Complementarity Index has consistently remained above 63, indicating substantial scope for expanding bilateral trade under preferential tariff access. Likewise, the Trade Intensity Index has remained close to one, suggesting that actual trade flows are approaching their potential and could expand further following the implementation of CETA.

Among the fastest-growing export opportunities identified in the report are:

• Smartphones and electronics supported by the Production Linked Incentive Scheme.
• Pharmaceuticals and healthcare products backed by India’s strong manufacturing ecosystem.
• Aluminium oxide and specialty materials leveraging India’s abundant bauxite reserves.
• Engineering goods, machinery parts and automotive components.
• Rice, processed food products and agricultural exports.
• Gems, jewellery and precious metal products.

Beyond merchandise trade, the report underlines the growing importance of services exports. Digital delivery (Mode 1) continues to account for the majority of UK services imports from India, reinforcing India’s competitive strength in information technology, professional services and knowledge-based industries.

The report also identifies significant opportunities for bilateral collaboration in advanced technologies. Through the UK–India Technology Security Initiative, both countries are strengthening cooperation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, telecommunications, biotechnology, critical minerals and advanced materials. These partnerships are expected to enhance innovation, strengthen resilient supply chains and promote greater investment in high-technology sectors.

The analysis further notes that the UK’s innovation ecosystem, strong research capabilities and substantial investments in science and technology complement India’s expanding manufacturing base, skilled workforce and growing domestic market. This combination provides a favourable environment for joint research, technology transfer and industrial collaboration.

However, the report emphasises that exporters must continue to address regulatory requirements relating to technical standards, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, product certification, hallmarking, pharmaceutical approvals, food safety regulations and Rules of Origin compliance in order to fully utilize preferential market access under CETA.

“The India–UK CETA has the potential to transform bilateral trade from a traditional goods-based relationship into a technology-driven strategic economic partnership. India’s growing competitiveness in manufacturing, combined with the UK’s strengths in innovation and advanced technologies, creates significant opportunities for expanding exports, attracting investment and integrating into global value chains said Mr. Rajeev Juneja, President, PHDCCI.”

Key Highlights of the Report

• India’s exports to the UK reached US$14.55 billion in FY2024-25.
• The UK accounted for around 3% of India’s total exports, ranking among India’s leading export destinations.
• Smartphones have emerged as one of the fastest-growing export categories.
• Aluminium oxide has become a rapidly expanding export product with strong comparative advantage.
• India demonstrates strong export specialisation in pharmaceuticals, jewellery, footwear, petroleum products and auto components.
• Trade Complementarity Index above 63 indicates strong potential for expanding bilateral trade.
• Technology cooperation under the UK–India Technology Security Initiative covers AI, semiconductors, telecommunications, quantum technologies, biotechnology, advanced materials and critical minerals.
• Simplified customs procedures and improved market access under CETA are expected to strengthen bilateral supply chains and enhance export competitiveness.

“The agreement provides an important platform for Indian industry to diversify export markets, increase value addition and strengthen competitiveness in high-growth sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, speciality materials and digital services. Effective utilisation of the agreement will require greater awareness of Rules of Origin, regulatory standards and market-specific compliance requirements Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, SG and CEO, PHDCCI.”

CA K. Ravi to Lead BCIC into its Next Era of Growth

CA K. Ravi is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), a law graduate and Senior Partner of K.R. Kumar & Co. and K. Ravi & Associates. He is also the Director of VR e-Biz Solutions Pvt. Ltd., which provides specialised India Entry Consulting and Virtual CFO services. He brings more than three decades of professional excellence in taxation, corporate advisory, governance and international business. 

Recognised as one of Karnataka’s most respected industry leaders, he created history as the first practising Chartered Accountant to become President of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) in its 104-year history. His distinguished leadership journey also includes serving as President of the Karnataka State Chartered Accountants Association (KSCAA), Past President of Rotary Bangalore Orchards and Past Governor of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), Florida, USA-Bangalore Chapter. 

A long-standing member of BCIC, CA K. Ravi has previously served as Chairman of the International Business Committee, Co-Chairman of the Start-up Committee and Member of the Managing Committee. He has also led several international business delegations across Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, Oman, Malaysia and Canada, strengthening Karnataka’s global trade and investment relationships. 

Speaking on assuming office as President of BCIC, CA K. Ravi said, “It is a privilege to lead BCIC at such a historic milestone as we celebrate fifty years of serving Karnataka’s industry. The Chamber has always played a pivotal role in bringing together industry, government and academia and our Golden Jubilee provides an opportunity to build institutions that will create lasting value for the next fifty years. Our focus will be on strengthening policy advocacy, supporting MSMEs and start-ups, accelerating global business engagement, promoting sustainability and creating a future-ready ecosystem that enhances Karnataka’s competitiveness on the global stage.” 

Under CA K. Ravi’s leadership, BCIC will continue to strengthen industry-government collaboration, promote innovation, encourage manufacturing excellence and create enduring institutions that support Karnataka’s growth and global competitiveness. 

Dr. Prashanth Reddy Takes Over as Senior Vice President of BCIC

BCIC has also announced the appointment of Dr. Prashanth Reddy as its Senior Vice President for the year 2026-27. He joins the Chamber’s leadership team during its Golden Jubilee year, bringing nearly three decades of experience in engineering, manufacturing, marketing and business leadership.

Manufacturing Leader to Strengthen BCIC’s Growth Agenda

A Mechanical Engineer with an MBA in Marketing and a PhD, Dr. Prashanth Reddy has spent the past thirteen years driving growth and innovation in the building materials and real estate sector. 

Under his leadership, Fundermax India has completed over 15,000 projects across the country, partnering with leading architects, developers, hospitality companies, corporates and retail organisations. The company today operates through a strong network of more than 40 business partners across India and the SAARC region and has earned several national and international recognitions for quality systems and its commitment to sustainable green building practices. Known for his strategic outlook and customer-centric leadership, Dr. Prashanth believes organisations must continually refine their strategies and remain agile to succeed in an ever-evolving business environment. 

As Senior Vice President, Dr. Prashanth Reddy will work closely with President CA K. Ravi and the BCIC Managing Committee to support the Chamber’s Golden Jubilee initiatives, including international business expansion, manufacturing excellence, research, skilling, innovation and global partnerships. 

Speaking on taking over as Senior Vice President, Dr. Prashanth Reddy said, “I am honoured to take on this responsibility during BCIC’s Golden Jubilee year. This is an exciting time for the Chamber as it embarks on several transformative initiatives that will strengthen manufacturing, innovation, research, skilling and international partnerships. I look forward to working closely with President CA K. Ravi, the Managing Committee and our members to ensure these initiatives create meaningful opportunities for industry while reinforcing Karnataka’s position as one of India’s leading economic engines.”

With Dr. Prashanth Reddy joining its leadership team, BCIC further strengthens its vision of encouraging innovation, manufacturing excellence, global partnerships and sustainable economic growth as it builds on five decades of service to Karnataka’s industry.

The conference was graced by Ms. Tulika Pandey, Scientist ‘G’ & Group Coordinator, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, as the Guest of Honour. Shri Madhvendra Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI); Ms. Sheetal Chopra, Director, National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), MeitY, as the Special Guests and other esteemed panelists from the industry and academia.

Addressing the august gathering, Ms. Tulika Pandey highlighted that semiconductor sovereignty today extends beyond manufacturing capabilities to encompass trusted technologies, resilient supply chains, secure digital infrastructure and indigenous innovation. She emphasised that the Government of India, through the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and the recently announced ISM 2.0, is creating a comprehensive ecosystem covering semiconductor design, fabrication, packaging, testing, research, innovation and advanced manufacturing. Calling upon industry to transition from technology adopters to technology creators, she stressed the need for greater participation in global standards, advanced materials, emerging technologies and ethical innovation. She further highlighted that MSMEs, startups and innovators will play a defining role in shaping India’s semiconductor future and reiterated that close collaboration between government, industry, academia and the skilling ecosystem is essential to realize the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Highlighting the critical role of talent development, Ms. Sheetal Chopra stated that human capital remains India’s greatest strategic advantage in the global semiconductor landscape. She noted that while fabrication facilities and manufacturing investments are important, India’s long-term competitiveness will depend on building a highly skilled workforce capable of contributing across the semiconductor value chain from the very first day. She highlighted NIELIT’s expanding role in strengthening India’s semiconductor talent ecosystem through its nationwide network of 56 centres, specialised programmes in semiconductor design, VLSI, embedded systems and emerging technologies, along with flagship initiatives such as the Centre of Excellence in Chip Design, Noida, the e-Chip Hub national learning platform and upcoming Centres of Excellence in Assam and Gujarat. She emphasised that democratising access to advanced technology education across Tier-II, Tier-III cities and aspirational districts will be instrumental in creating a globally competitive semiconductor workforce.

Shri Madhvendra Singh emphasized that semiconductor sovereignty has become a strategic imperative for India’s economic growth and national security. He noted that India’s semiconductor ecosystem is witnessing unprecedented momentum with 13 approved semiconductor projects, cumulative investments exceeding USD 20 billion, and a domestic semiconductor market projected to reach nearly USD 130 billion by 2030. He highlighted that this rapid expansion would require nearly 400,000 semiconductor professionals and approximately 1.5 million skilled workers across the broader semiconductor value chain. Stressing that MSMEs will be the backbone of component manufacturing, testing, packaging and precision engineering, he highlighted ESSCI’s initiatives in developing industry-aligned occupational standards, specialised curriculum, Centres of Excellence, apprenticeship programmes and faculty development to create a globally competitive semiconductor workforce.

Presenting the industry’s perspective, Shri Karan Mangla, Co-Chair, Foreign Trade & Investment Committee, PHDCCI, and Promoter & Director, S H Haryana Wire, stated that India has made remarkable progress in establishing the foundations of a robust semiconductor ecosystem through the approval of 13 semiconductor projects under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and the rollout of ISM 2.0. He emphasised that the country’s next priority must be to translate policy momentum into large-scale manufacturing by accelerating infrastructure development, ensuring cleanroom readiness, strengthening power and water infrastructure, and streamlining regulatory approvals. Stressing that semiconductor sovereignty cannot be achieved without a resilient domestic supply chain, he highlighted the indispensable role of MSMEs in component manufacturing, specialty materials, precision engineering, cleanroom consumables and allied industries. He further called for dedicated vendor development programmes, stronger industry-academia collaboration, manufacturing clusters and demand-side support to enable Indian enterprises to emerge as globally competitive players in the semiconductor value chain.

Welcoming the distinguished delegates, Dr. Jatinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General, PHDCCI, stated that semiconductors have emerged as the foundation of economic resilience, technological leadership and national security amid evolving geopolitical dynamics and global supply chain realignments. He said the conference was conceptualised to provide a common platform for policymakers, industry, academia and MSMEs to develop a shared roadmap for indigenous semiconductor design, fabrication, packaging and advanced manufacturing while identifying critical gaps in skilling, infrastructure and investments. Stressing the indispensable role of MSMEs in the semiconductor value chain, he said PHDCCI remains committed to supporting industry through policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement.

The conference also featured two high-level technical sessions titled “Building India’s Semiconductor Workforce: ISM 2.0 Training Mandate & Industry-Ready Talent” and “From Policy to Production: ISM 2.0, Manufacturing Scale-Up & Indigenous Design.” The sessions witnessed extensive deliberations on semiconductor manufacturing, indigenous chip design, talent development, advanced packaging, research and innovation, investment opportunities, MSME integration and supply chain resilience. Experts emphasised that sustained collaboration among government, industry, academia, research institutions and startups will be crucial for positioning India as a trusted global hub for semiconductor design, manufacturing and innovation.

The conference concluded with a strong consensus that India’s semiconductor ambitions must be driven by policy stability, accelerated investments, world-class infrastructure, a robust skilling ecosystem and a vibrant MSME network. Participants reaffirmed that by combining indigenous innovation with strategic partnerships and talent development, India is well-positioned to emerge as a leading global destination for semiconductor manufacturing and technology, contributing significantly to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.