Odisha targets semiconductor push to boost IT, digital growth

The Electronics and IT Minister Mukesh Mahaling recently announced that Odisha will start semiconductor manufacturing operations in upcoming years during the ‘From Temple to Tech’ summit. The summit demonstrated how Odisha had developed into electronics and IT innovation hub because of its strong digital infrastructure combined with its skilled workers and expanding startup network.

Mahaling emphasized the state’s readiness to attract major IT investments, stating, “Odisha has seen growing interest from leading IT companies, with several already setting up operations and more in the pipeline.” He highlighted the creation of a dedicated industry support cell to streamline assistance for IT sector investors, reinforcing Odisha’s investor-friendly environment.

Vishal Kumar Dev as Principal Secretary emphasized the growing role of the service sector in the GSDP of Odisha. The state implements active IT and semiconductor policies backed by investor incentives to stimulate industry development.

Union Joint Secretary Manish Chadha provided a national perspective, noting, “99 per cent of mobile phones used in India are now domestically manufactured.” His remarks underscored India’s strides toward self-reliance in electronics, with Odisha playing a pivotal role in this transformation.

The summit enabled the establishment of six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between ESC and top institutions such as IIT Bhubaneswar and IIIT Bhubaneswar in addition to OUTR and BPUT and VSSUT and World Trade Center as part of industry-academia collaboration efforts. The signed agreements will advance skills training while connecting academic institutions with industrial needs.

The entrepreneurial spirit of Odisha became evident as ten promising electronics and IT startups displayed their innovative products to evaluators and mentors during the startup competition. A white paper named ‘Electronics and Software Exports from India and Odisha’ was launched to present essential concepts regarding sectoral trends along with challenges and market prospects.

The state of Odisha advances its position as a vital player in India's electronics and IT domain through targeted strategies coupled with academic collaborations and increasing investment trends which creates paths to a future led by technology.