Odisha to Begin Semiconductor Production, Boosts Tech Drive with Key Summit

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to start semiconductor production within the next couple of years as part of its broader mission to become a global hub for electronics manufacturing and IT services, said State Information Technology Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling. The announcement came during the high-profile summit ‘From Temples to Tech’, organized by the Department of Electronics & Information Technology (E&IT), Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC).

Held at The Crown in Bhubaneswar, the event brought together top government officials, industry leaders, academic experts, and startup innovators from across India and abroad to catalyze Odisha’s transformation into a tech-driven economy.

Highlighting Odisha’s growing digital ecosystem, Dr. Mahaling noted that the state is well-positioned in terms of digital infrastructure, startup culture, and skill development. “Leading IT companies have already established their centers in the state,” he said, while inviting more IT investors and assuring full government support. He also announced the launch of the Odisha Industries Support Cell, designed to facilitate investment and growth in the IT sector.

Principal Secretary of the IT Department, Vishal Kumar Dev, emphasized the rising contribution of the services sector to the State Gross Domestic Product (GSDP) and pointed to the state’s attractive IT and semiconductor policies. “The incentives offered by Odisha are among the best in the country,” he asserted.

Joint Secretary to the Government of India, Manish Chadha, provided a national perspective, citing India’s rapid progress in electronics manufacturing following policy reforms. “Today, 99% of mobile phones used in India are manufactured domestically,” he said, adding that India’s share in global smartphone manufacturing continues to grow steadily.

The summit also featured the launch of a white paper titled “Electronics and Software Exports from India and Odisha,” which outlined a data-backed strategy for expanding the state’s export capacity. Six key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between ESC and prominent academic institutions—IIT Bhubaneswar, IIIT Bhubaneswar, OUTR, BPUT, VSSUT, and the World Trade Center Bhubaneswar—to foster industry-academia collaboration and drive skill development.

Two key panel discussions were held: one on advancing global competitiveness through hardware innovation, and another on positioning Odisha as a center of tech excellence and talent development. An open house also enabled startup founders and CXOs to share insights and ideas.

Representatives from leading organizations including Atlanta Systems, InfoPower Tech, Ernst & Young, MeitY, ESSCI, and global accelerator Plug and Play contributed valuable inputs. Manoj Kumar, Deputy CEO of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), offered guidance to MSMEs and startups on tapping into government procurement opportunities.

A special startup showcase featured ten promising electronics and IT startups from Odisha, each presenting innovative solutions to investors and mentors, further underscoring the state’s commitment to building a vibrant deep-tech ecosystem.

The summit marked a significant step toward Odisha’s vision of blending its rich cultural heritage with cutting-edge technological innovation.