Knowledge Nugget: India’s First 3D Chip Packaging Plant — Technology and Semiconductors Explained

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Key Takeaways:

1. The project is being implemented by the US-based 3D Glass Solutions Inc through its wholly owned Indian subsidiary Heterogeneous Integration Packaging Solutions Pvt Ltd. It is funded by Intel, among others. Intel’s CEO Lip-Bu Tan joined the ceremony virtually.

2. Majhi said the unit, whose Rs 1,934 crore proposal had received approval under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) last year, is expected to produce 70,000 glass panels annually, along with 50 million assembled units. It is among the two plants in the state that had received approval under the ISM  and around 13,000 advanced 3DHI modules, Majhi said. 

What is 3D glass semiconductor technology? 

1. 3D glass semiconductor technology is an advanced chip process that utilises specialised glass substrates to enable high-performance, three-dimensional integration of electrical components.

2. Unlike traditional silicon, glass offers superior radio frequency performance, lower electrical loss, and enhanced thermal stability for passive component integration. The plant in Bhubaneswar will assemble and package these chips. 

(Image: Created by Google NotebookLM)

What are Semiconductors and their significance?

1. Most modern-day semiconductors are integrated circuits, also referred to as semiconductor ‘chips’ — essentially a set of minute electronic circuits comprising transistors, diodes, capacitors, and resistors, and the myriad interconnections between them, layered on a wafer sheet of silicon.

2. Semiconductors occupy a unique position between conductors and insulators. While conductors like copper allow electric current to flow and insulators like glass block it, semiconductors exhibit controlled conductivity.

3. Semiconductors in their natural state are weak conductors of electricity. When certain materials are added to them and an electric field is applied, current can start to flow. Adding phosphorus to semiconducting materials, such as silicon and germanium, for example, allows the flow of a negative current.

4. Semiconductors are an essential component of electronic devices, enabling advances in communications, computing, healthcare, military systems, transportation, clean energy, and countless other applications. They are highly complex products to design and manufacture, that provide the essential functionality for electronic devices to process, store and transmit data.

What is Vikram 3201?

1. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw presented India’s first fully indigenous microprocessor — a type of semiconductor chip — to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Semicon India 2025 on September 2.

2. The chip, called Vikram 3201, has been developed by the semiconductor laboratory of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

BEYOND THE NUGGET: India’s Semiconductor Push

1. India Semiconductor Mission: The India Semiconductor Mission was launched in 2021. It is a strategic initiative undertaken by the government of India to promote the domestic semiconductor industry.

— Its goal is to improve semiconductor design and manufacturing capabilities domestically and to encourage innovation, employment, and economic growth.

— The India Semiconductor Mission operates under the guidance of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and other relevant government bodies.

2. Semicon India Programme: The government has launched the Semicon India programme to provide financial support to companies investing in semiconductors, display manufacturing and design ecosystems. This will help in the development of the semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

— The following four schemes have been introduced under the Semicon India programme:

(i) Modified Scheme for setting up of Semiconductor Fabs in India

(ii) Modified Scheme for setting up of Display Fabs in India

(iii) Modified Scheme for setting up of Compound Semiconductors / Silicon Photonics / Sensors Fab and Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) / OSAT facilities in India

(iv) Semicon India Future Design: Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme

Post Read Questions

(1) Vikram 3201 is a:

(a) Human-rated launch vehicle developed by ISRO

(b) Semi-cryogenic rocket engine used in LVM3

(c) Indigenous microprocessor developed for strategic and space applications

(d) Satellite-based navigation system

(2) With reference to the semiconductors, consider the following statements:

1. In their natural state, semiconductors are strong conductors of electricity.

2. Adding phosphorus to semiconducting materials, such as silicon and germanium, allows the flow of a negative current.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

(Sources: Odisha kicks off India’s 1st 3D chip packaging plant, UPSC Issue at a Glance | India’s Semiconductor Push)

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