New Delhi, Aug. 3 -- India's semiconductor ambitions are gathering pace. Battery manufacturing is expanding, electronics production is climbing, and government-backed incentives are pushing companies to manufacture more within the country. Yet beneath these headline investments lies a quieter challenge that receives far less attention: the materials that make these industries possible.

From semiconductor fabs to electric vehicle batteries and aerospace components, advanced manufacturing depends on a steady supply of highly specialized materials. While India is investing billions in production facilities, much of the critical material stack continues to come from overseas, leaving manufacturers dependent on global supply chains for essent...