News source date: 6 November 2026 | Published: 7 November 2026
Why in the News
Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the Semicon 2.0 web application portal on 6 November 2026 and announced approval of 12 more applicants under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme, ECMS.
Figures for the New Approvals
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| New approvals | 12 applications |
| Projected investment | ₹7,503 crore |
| Projected production | ₹39,045 crore |
| Expected direct jobs | 7,127 |
| Seven states | Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh |
| Total approvals to date | 118 applications, 34 products, 16 states; investment ₹77,051 crore, output ₹5,73,146 crore, jobs 81,755 |
Previously, 106 applications involving ₹69,548 crore investment had been approved.
What Will Be Manufactured?
- Four components: multilayer PCBs, relays, heat sinks and specialised ceramics.
- Five supply-chain products: copper foil, anode materials, cathode active materials, polypropylene film and camera rims.
- Capital goods: precision moulds and tooling, control systems and factory-automation equipment.
Copper foil, cathode active materials and specialised ceramics received their first ECMS approvals. Copper foil is an important input for PCB copper-clad laminates and lithium-ion cells.
Semicon 2.0
- The Union Cabinet approved Semicon 2.0 under the India Semiconductor Mission with an outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore.
- Its six pillars are chip design; machinery and materials; more fabs; the ATMP/OSAT industry; research and development; and talent development.
- The portal accepts applications for pillars 2, 3 and 4.
- Semicon 1.0 approved 12 projects across six states; five had begun commercial production by October 2026.
Way Forward
- Build value chains beyond assembly into modules, components and materials. Timely implementation is the test.
- Approvals concern projected investment and output. Publish quarterly actual progress.
- States need power, water, skilled workers and logistics.
- Continue R&D and skills investment to reduce dependence on imported raw materials and capital goods.
Prelims Practice Questions
Question 1. Consider these statements about recent ECMS approvals:
Statement 1: They cover 12 applications with projected investment of ₹7,503 crore.
Statement 2: Projects span seven states.
Statement 3: Total approved applications have now reached 106.
Which are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (a). The total is now 118. The earlier total was 106, so Statement 3 is wrong.
Question 2. Consider these two statements:
Statement-I: Copper foil is an important input for copper-clad laminates and lithium-ion cells.
Statement-II: Copper foil, cathode active materials and specialised ceramics received their first ECMS approvals.
Which option is correct?
(a) Both statements are correct, and Statement-II correctly explains Statement-I.
(b) Both statements are correct, but Statement-II does not correctly explain Statement-I.
(c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.
(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (b). The first describes utility, the second approval sequence. Both are correct, but the latter does not explain the former.
Question 3. Consider these statements about Semicon 2.0:
Statement 1: Its financial outlay is ₹1,27,500 crore.
Statement 2: It focuses on six strategic pillars.
Statement 3: Applications have opened for all six pillars.
Which are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (a). Applications are open only for pillars 2, 3 and 4, making Statement 3 incorrect.
Sources
PIB, Semicon 2.0 portal and 12 approved ECMS applicants, 6 November 2026.
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PCSMANTRA Editorial Team
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