Odisha to Begin Semiconductor Production in Coming Years, Unveils Big Tech Push at ‘From Temples to Tech’ Summit

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is poised to begin semiconductor production within the next couple of years, marking a major leap toward establishing itself as a global technology and electronics manufacturing hub, State Information Technology Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling announced on Friday. Speaking at the ‘From Temples to Tech’ summit held in Bhubaneswar, he emphasized that Odisha’s investor-friendly policies, robust digital infrastructure, and growing startup ecosystem have positioned it for a transformative tech-led future.

Highlighting the state’s readiness, Dr. Mahaling invited IT companies to invest in Odisha, assuring full support from the government and announcing the launch of the Odisha Industries Support Cell to facilitate IT and electronics sector investors.

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), the summit brought together top government officials, tech leaders, global investors, startups, and academia at The Crown, Bhubaneswar.

In his keynote address, Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary, Department of IT, noted the rising contribution of the services sector to Odisha’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). He outlined the best-in-class incentives available under Odisha’s IT and Semiconductor policies, calling them among the most competitive in India.

Adding a national perspective, Manish Chadha, Joint Secretary, Government of India, acknowledged India’s transformation in electronics manufacturing, driven by favorable central policies. “Today, 99% of mobile phones used in India are made domestically,” he said, underscoring the rapid localization of smartphone production and highlighting Odisha’s potential in contributing to this success story.

New Initiatives and Partnerships

A key milestone of the summit was the launch of the Odisha Industry Support Cell by ESC, which will offer critical services such as export guidance, global market access, mentoring, and compliance support for electronics and IT enterprises in the state.

The event also saw the release of a comprehensive white paper titled “Electronics and Software Exports from India and Odisha,” offering a data-driven roadmap to boost exports from the state.

To foster industry-academia collaboration, six MoUs were signed between ESC and leading institutions — IIT Bhubaneswar, IIIT Bhubaneswar, OUTR, BPUT, VSSUT, and the World Trade Center Bhubaneswar — focusing on research, skill development, and talent incubation.

Building a Global-Tech Ecosystem in Odisha

Two high-powered panel discussions were held on:

• Enhancing global competitiveness through hardware innovation
• Transforming Odisha into a tech and talent powerhouse

Key voices from Atlanta Systems, InfoPower Tech, Ernst & Young, MeitY, ESSCI, and global accelerator Plug and Play shared insights into unlocking Odisha’s potential in emerging technologies.

Manoj Kumar, Deputy CEO of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), addressed startups and MSMEs on leveraging GeM for procurement opportunities, further empowering local innovators.

The event concluded with a Startup Showcase, where ten promising Odisha-based electronics and IT startups presented their solutions to investors and mentors, highlighting the growing vibrancy of the state’s deep-tech ecosystem.