India, July 22 -- More than four years after the launch of the Semicon India Programme, the Indian government is looking at a new course for the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).

After the Cabinet approval for a Rs.1.25 Lakh Cr budget for the programme, Semicon 2.0 is now ready for rollout, but there's a major difference this time around.

While the first leg of the programme focused on semiconductor manufacturing as a whole, the focus has shifted towards electronics systems design as a segment where Indian startups can find their niche. And this time around, the government is showing its conviction with a grant-plus-equity model. -

The first phase of the mission focused largely on grant-based funding to startups, subsidised Electronic...