Weekly News Updates: Jan. 29 – Feb. 4

Electronics and Semiconductor Push: Budget 2025-26 Sees 48% Hike in MeitY Allocation; India Unveils ₹10,000 Cr Fund of Funds, National GCC Framework to Boost Startups and Tech Sector; Data Centre Market to Triple by 2032, Driven by Infrastructure and Digital Demand; India to Develop Indigenous GPU, Launch AI Compute Facility Amid Global AI Race; AI-Driven Semiconductor Demand to Reach 28% by 2026; India Aims to Become Global Toy Manufacturing Hub with New Action Plan

Electronics and Semiconductor Push: Budget 2025-26 Sees 48% Hike in MeitY Allocation

電子與半導體產業推動:2025-26 年度MeitY預算分配增長 48%

The Indian government has significantly increased funding for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in the Union Budget for FY26, with a 48.16% jump from ₹17,566.31 crore (RE FY25) to ₹26,026.25 crore. This boost is primarily aimed at strengthening electronics manufacturing and semiconductor production in the country. Key policy changes include an increase in basic customs duty (BCD) on Interactive Flat Panel Displays (IFPDs) from 10% to 20%, while reducing it on Open Cells for LCD/LED TVs and various mobile phone components to zero. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, crucial for large-scale electronics manufacturing, saw a 55.8% increase in allocation to ₹9,000 crore, with IT hardware manufacturing receiving a nearly fourfold hike. Additionally, funding for semiconductor and display manufacturing has been ramped up by 83.4% to ₹7,000 crore, including more than doubling the budget for setting up semiconductor fabs to ₹2,499.96 crore.

For non-Indian companies, these changes signal a more attractive investment environment with a clearer cost structure. The rationalization of import duties on key inputs could make India a more competitive hub in the global electronics supply chain. Furthermore, the introduction of a presumptive taxation regime for non-resident service providers in the electronics manufacturing sector simplifies tax compliance, potentially encouraging more foreign players to participate in India’s growing tech ecosystem.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/budgetary-allocation-for-meity-up-by-48-focus-on-electronics-semiconductors-101738405554095.html

小編點評:印度政府在 2025-26 財政年度(FY26)的聯邦預算中,為電子與資訊技術部(MeitY)撥款 ₹26,026.25 億盧比,增幅 48%,重點放在加強電子製造與半導體產業的發展。關鍵政策變動,如像是降低手機零件的進口關稅以及針對非當地業者的預估稅制,營造更具吸引力的投資環境。這些舉措將使外資,特別是來自台灣的企業,在印度擴展科技事業時享有更具競爭力的市場優勢。

India Unveils ₹10,000 Cr Fund of Funds, National GCC Framework to Boost Startups and Tech Sector

印度推出 10,000 億盧比基金以及國家GCC 政策框架,以促進新創企業和科技產業發展

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a new ₹10,000 crore Fund of Funds (FoF) with an expanded scope to support Indian startups, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign investments and accelerate research and development (R&D) in emerging sectors. The initiative builds on the 2016 FoF, which catalyzed ₹91,000 crore in venture capital commitments. A dedicated DeepTech FoF is also being explored to drive advancements in AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors. Industry leaders welcomed the move, noting that it will provide much-needed capital in a challenging funding environment. Additionally, the IndiaAI Mission received a ₹2,000 crore allocation this year, with plans to establish 20 AI curation units and 80 AI labs across higher education institutes.

In a major push to attract global companies, the government also announced a national framework to guide states in promoting Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in tier-II cities. With 80% of global firms yet to set up GCCs in India, the initiative aims to make India a leading hub for corporate innovation and skilled job creation. This move is expected to attract foreign firms looking to expand their operations while leveraging India’s growing talent pool and infrastructure. For non-Indian companies, these initiatives signal a more structured and investment-friendly environment, making India a key destination for deep-tech innovation and corporate expansion.

https://www.business-standard.com/budget/news/budget-startup-sector-gets-new-fund-of-funds-fm-to-allocate-rs-10k-cr-125020100650_1.html

小編點評:印度已推出規模為 1000 億印度盧比的基金(FoF),以支持新創公司、減少外資依賴並促進人工智慧和量子計算等新興領域的研發,重點關注DeepTech。印度政府也為印度人工智慧計畫撥款​​ 200 億印度盧比,並計畫在高等教育機構建立 20 個人工智慧管理部門和 80 個人工智慧實驗室。此外,印度還在二線城市推行了全球能力中心(GCC)的國家政策框架,旨在吸引外國企業,將印度定位為創新和高技能就業的重要基地。

Data Centre Market to Triple by 2032, Driven by Infrastructure and Digital Demand

受基礎設施和數位需求推動,數據中心市場到 2032 年將成長三倍

India’s data centre market is set for rapid expansion, projected to grow from ₹38,984 crore (US$ 4.5 billion) in 2023 to ₹1,00,491 crore (US$ 11.6 billion) by 2032, as per the Economic Survey 2024-25. This growth, at an annual rate of 10.98%, is fueled by rising digital adoption, infrastructure development, and India’s cost advantages, including lower construction costs compared to markets like Australia, Japan, and Singapore. The country’s colocation data centre capacity reached 977 MW in 2023, marking a 105% YoY surge, with 1.03 GW under construction for 2024-28 and an additional 1.29 GW in the pipeline. Additionally, under the GI Cloud initiative (MeghRaj), 23 cloud service providers have been empanelled to support government digital infrastructure, with the National Informatics Centre currently hosting 1,917 applications.

For non-Indian companies, India’s growing data centre ecosystem presents significant opportunities for investment, expansion, and partnerships. Lower operational costs, a booming digital economy, and government-backed initiatives make the country an attractive destination for cloud service providers, hyperscale data centres, and global IT firms looking to establish a stronger presence in Asia. As India enhances its digital infrastructure, foreign companies can benefit from tapping into its fast-growing cloud and data management market.

https://www.ibef.org/news/indian-data-centre-market-expected-to-grow-to-rs-1-00-491-crore-us-11-6-billion-by-2032-economic-survey#:~:text=grow%20to%20Rs.-,1%2C00%2C491%20crore%20(US%24%2011.6,billion)%20by%202032%3A%20Economic%20Survey&text=India’s%20data%20centre%20market%20is,2024%2D25%20presented%20in%20Parliament.

小編點評:受數位化應用不斷增加、基礎設施發展和成本優勢的推動,印度資料中心市場規模預計將從 2023 年的 38,984 千萬盧比增長到 2032 年的 1,00,491 千萬盧比。 2023 年,該國的主機託管資料中心容量將激增 105%,並且正在建立額外的容量以滿足未來的需求。對於外國企業來說,在政策和蓬勃發展的數位經濟的支持下,印度在雲端服務和資料中心方面提供了重要的投資機會。

India to Develop Indigenous GPU, Launch AI Compute Facility Amid Global AI Race

在全球人工智慧競賽中,印度將開發本土 GPU,啟動人工智慧運算設施

India is set to develop its own Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) within the next three to five years, alongside a domestic large language model (LLM) under the ₹10,370 crore IndiaAI Mission, according to Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The move comes amid concerns over India’s AI competitiveness, especially after the rise of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek. The government has partnered with six developers to build an India-centric AI model tailored to local languages and cultural contexts. Additionally, the government has selected 18 AI-based applications in fields like agriculture and climate change for funding. To accelerate AI research, the government has procured 18,000 high-end GPUs, with 10,000 already available for rollout in the coming days.

For non-Indian companies, these initiatives signal India’s intent to establish itself as a key player in AI and semiconductor manufacturing, reducing dependence on foreign hardware. The launch of a common GPU compute facility, with access rates as low as ₹150 per hour and a 40% subsidy for end users, presents opportunities for global AI firms, cloud providers, and semiconductor manufacturers looking to collaborate or expand in India’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem. Additionally, the new presumptive taxation regime for non-residents in electronics manufacturing could incentivize foreign experts and companies to invest in India’s semiconductor and AI ambitions.

https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/artificial-intelligence/india-ai-strategy-deepseek-disruption-9821202

小編點評:印度計劃在未來三到五年內開發本土 GPU 和大型語言模型,這是印度 10,370 億印度盧比人工智慧計畫的一部分,旨在提高人工智慧競爭力。政府採購了 18,000 顆高階 GPU,並與六家開發商合作,創建了適合當地語言和背景的人工智慧模型。對於外國公司來說,這些舉措提供了在人工智慧和半導體專案上合作的機會,並透過低成本 GPU 運算設施和新稅收制度等激勵措施來鼓勵投資。

AI-Driven Semiconductor Demand to Reach 28% by 2026: Report

報告指出2026 年,人工智慧驅動的半導體需求將達到 28%

India’s semiconductor demand is projected to surge to 28% by the end of 2026, nearly matching the global demand of 29%, as per a report by the Capgemini Research Institute (CRI). The study highlights that 96% of Indian downstream firms foresee increased demand for AI chips and custom silicon chips, surpassing global expectations of 88% and 81%, respectively. Additionally, 82% of Indian companies anticipate higher demand for memory-intensive chips like HBM and GDDR6. Advancements in AI/ML acceleration (50%) and GPU computing (45%) are seen as the most crucial semiconductor innovations, while enhanced security, comprehensive APIs, and greater customization rank as top technology priorities.

The report suggests that India’s semiconductor ecosystem is evolving rapidly, with 54% of downstream organizations already utilizing custom silicon chips, close to the global average of 56%. This growing demand signals opportunities for international semiconductor firms to cater to the Indian market, particularly in AI-driven solutions. As 52% of Indian firms express confidence in the semiconductor industry’s ability to innovate at a pace that meets future needs, global companies could benefit from aligning their strategies with India’s fast-growing AI and semiconductor landscape.

https://ddindia.co.in/2025/01/semiconductor-demand-in-india-to-reach-28-pc-by-2026-end-in-ai-era/#:~:text=demand%20in%20India-,Semiconductor%20demand%20in%20India%20to%20reach%2028,2026%20end%20in%20AI%20era&text=The%20demand%20for%20semiconductors%20in,to%20a%20report%20on%20Tuesday.

小編點評:印度的半導體需求預計到2026年將增長28%,主要受到人工智慧(AI)和客製化矽晶片需求激增的推動。Capgemini 研究院的報告顯示,96% 的印度企業預期 AI 晶片的需求將增加,而AI/ML 加速技術和 GPU 運算的進步則是關鍵推動因素。這為全球半導體公司提供了重大機會,讓他們能夠投資於印度這個快速發展的 AI 驅動市場。

India Aims to Become Global Toy Manufacturing Hub with New Action Plan

印度製定新行動計劃,力求成為全球玩具製造中心

India’s toy industry received a significant boost as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget 2025 presentation, announced a national action plan to position the country as a global leader in toy manufacturing. The initiative includes setting up dedicated toy manufacturing clusters and promoting eco-friendly, sustainable toys under a recognized Indian brand, aligning with the ‘Make in India’ vision. Following the announcement, shares of Ok Play India rose by 2.10% to Rs 17, reflecting investor confidence in the government’s commitment to the sector. The initiative is expected to generate 22 lakh new jobs, reducing unemployment and expanding livelihood opportunities.

The plan also aims to enhance India’s export potential, with toy exports projected to surpass Rs 1.1 lakh crore, contributing over Rs 400 crore in revenue to the economy. For international companies, this move signals a growing market for toy-related investments, joint ventures, and supply chain collaborations in India. With dedicated clusters and skill development programs, global toy manufacturers and retailers may find new opportunities to partner with Indian producers and leverage the country’s expanding toy industry.

https://www.financialexpress.com/market/toy-stocks-in-focus-budget-2025-announces-plans-to-make-india-toy-hub-3734106

小編點評:印度計劃成為全球玩具製造業的領導者,並在2025 年預算中宣布了一項新的國家行動計劃,重點關注永續發展、環保玩具,以及專門的製造聚落建設。該計劃預計將創造 220 萬個新工作機會,並提升玩具出口,出口總額有望超過1.1 萬億盧比。對於國際企業而言,這將提供投資、合資及與印度成長中的玩具產業合作的機會。