MAINS Current Affairs includes Cyclone Arnab & India Needs to Strengthen Its Semiconductor Capabilities

Geography

1. Cyclone Arnab

Context: India’s eastern coast is preparing for the arrival of Cyclone Arnab, which, according to the supplied source, has intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm over the Bay of Bengal.

 About Cyclone Arnab

• Name contributor:
• Pronunciation: “Ornab”.
• Meaning: In Bengali, Arnab means “ocean” or “sea”.
• The name is part of the list of names used for tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean.

What Are Cyclones?

• A cyclone is a powerful rotating storm that develops around a low-pressure centre, generally over warm ocean waters. It is characterised by strong winds and atmospheric circulation directed towards the low-pressure system.

Origin of the Term

• The word cyclone is derived from the Greek word Cyclos, meaning “coils of a snake”.
• The term was coined by Henry Peddington, who observed that tropical storms over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea resembled coiled serpents of the sea.

Regional Terminology

How Is a Cyclone Formed?

Cyclone formation involves several interconnected atmospheric and oceanic processes.

Warm Ocean Waters

• Tropical cyclones generally develop over warm ocean waters.
• Warm seawater provides the heat and moisture needed to fuel the storm.
• The transfer of heat and moisture from the ocean to the atmosphere supports the development of strong upward air movement.

Formation of a Low-Pressure System

• Warm, moist air rises from the ocean surface.
• As air rises, surface pressure decreases, creating a low-pressure area.
• Air from surrounding regions of higher pressure moves towards this low-pressure centre.
• The incoming air gains heat and moisture and rises, helping the system intensify.

Development of Cyclonic Circulation

• The Earth’s rotation produces the Coriolis effect, which deflects moving air.
• This deflection causes the air moving towards the low-pressure centre to rotate.
• The resulting circulation develops into a cyclonic wind system.

Formation of the Eye

• As the cyclone intensifies and wind speeds increase, a relatively calm central region called the eye may develop.
• The eye is generally characterised by comparatively clear skies and very low atmospheric pressure.
• Strong winds and intense weather conditions are typically found around the eye, particularly in the eyewall.

Dissipation of the Cyclone

• A cyclone gradually weakens when its supply of energy and moisture is disrupteThis can occur when it:
• Moves over cooler ocean waters.
• Encounters dry air.
• Makes landfall and loses access to warm ocean moisture.
• Experiences interactions that disrupt its organised circulation.

Conclusion

Cyclones are powerful weather systems driven by warm ocean waters, low atmospheric pressure and rotating air circulation. Understanding their formation and development is essential for forecasting, early warning and disaster preparedness. Timely warnings and effective coastal preparedness can help reduce the risks to lives, infrastructure and livelihoods.

Science and Technology and Economy

2. India Needs to Strengthen Its Semiconductor Capabilities

Context: At the Semiconductor Summit 2026, the chief of the Semiconductor Laboratory highlighted India’s dependence on imported technologies and emphasised the need to strengthen domestic research and development (R&D), manufacturing capabilities and specialised talent in the semiconductor sector.

Understanding the Global Semiconductor Ecosystem

Global Market Trends

• The global semiconductor market recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% between 2014 and 2024.
• It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5% over the next 5–10 years.
• Recent disruptions have exposed vulnerabilities in the interconnected global semiconductor supply chain.

Dominance of Major Economies

• The global semiconductor industry is concentrated in a few major manufacturing hubs, including:
• South Korea.
• The United States.
• Taiwan’s position:
• Accounts for more than 60% of global chip production.
• Accounts for nearly 90% of advanced chip production, according to the supplied source.
• This concentration makes the global semiconductor ecosystem vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and supply-chain disruptions.

India’s Semiconductor Demand and Import Dependence

• India’s semiconductor demand is projected to reach US$110 billion by FY2030.
• It is expected to exceed US$200 billion by FY2035.
• Despite this growing demand, domestic semiconductor manufacturing remains at a nascent stage.

Semiconductor imports:

• India spent approximately US$150 billion on semiconductor product imports during FY2017–FY2025.
• Imports grew at a CAGR of 23% during this period.
• If this trend continues, annual imports could reach US$240 billion by 2035.

These trends underline the need to establish a comprehensive domestic semiconductor ecosystem.

Why Are Semiconductors Strategically Important?

Foundation of the Digital Economy

• Semiconductors are essential components of modern electronic devices and digital technologies.
• They support the functioning of telecommunications, computing, healthcare technologies, industrial equipment and connected devices.

National Security

• Semiconductor chips are critical for defence equipment, surveillance systems, satellites and strategic communication networks.
• They also support cybersecurity infrastructure and other sensitive applications.

Industrial Competitiveness

• Countries with advanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities can strengthen their technological leadership and industrial competitiveness.
• Domestic production can support the development of electronics manufacturing and related industries.

Technological Sovereignty

• Dependence on foreign suppliers can expose India to supply disruptions, geopolitical restrictions and technology denial.
• Indigenous semiconductor capabilities can strengthen self-reliance and improve control over critical technologies.

Economic Resilience

• A stronger domestic ecosystem can reduce exposure to external supply shocks.
• It can also create opportunities for investment, innovation, skilled employment and integration into global value chains.

India’s Semiconductor Mission

India Semiconductor Mission 1.0

• Launch: 2021
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
• Objective: To develop a comprehensive semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India.

Key features:

• Supported by an incentive framework of ₹76,000 crore.
• Offers fiscal support of up to 50% for eligible facilities and activities, as described in the supplied source.
• Covers silicon fabrication, compound semiconductor facilities, assembly and testing units, and chip design.

Progress:

• 12 semiconductor manufacturing projects have been approved.
• These projects represent an investment pipeline of approximately ₹1.64 lakh crore.
• The approved projects include:
• Silicon fabrication facilities.
• Silicon carbide fabrication units.
• Advanced and memory packaging facilities.
• Specialised assembly and testing infrastructure.

India Semiconductor Mission 2.0

• Announcement: Union Budget 2026–27.
• ISM 2.0 seeks to move beyond establishing basic manufacturing capacity towards consolidating the semiconductor ecosystem and strengthening India’s position in global supply chains.
• Key focus areas:
• Domestic production of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and materials.
• Development of full-stack Indian semiconductor intellectual property (IP).
• Strengthening domestic and global supply chains.
• Expanding research, design and manufacturing capabilities.
• Developing a specialised semiconductor workforce.

Six Pillars of Semicon 2.0

Indigenous Microprocessors and Core Semiconductor Technologies

Importance of Microprocessors

• Microprocessors form a foundational layer of modern digital infrastructurThey power systems across: Telecommunications, Mobility and transport, Healthcare, Industry, Defence, Space applications.
• Developing indigenous processor technologies is therefore important for building sovereign technological capabilities.

DHRUV64 Microprocessor

• DHRUV64 is a fully indigenous 64-bit microprocessor developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
• It was developed under the Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP).
• It represents a milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen domestic processor design and semiconductor self-reliance.

Major Challenges Facing India’s Semiconductor Industry

High Capital Investment

• Establishing semiconductor fabrication plants requires investments running into several billion dollars.
• Projects also involve long gestation periods before reaching commercial production.

Technology-Intensive Manufacturing

• Semiconductor production requires sophisticated technologies and precision manufacturing processes.
• Continuous technological evolution makes sustained investment in research and modernisation necessary.

Dependence on Imported Equipment

• India continues to depend on foreign suppliers for advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment and specialised machinery.
• This dependence can expose production to international supply disruptions and technology restrictions.

Infrastructure Requirements

• Semiconductor fabrication requires highly reliable infrastructure, including:
• Uninterrupted electricity supply.
• Ultra-pure water.
• Reliable logistics and transportation.
• Supporting industrial infrastructure.
• Any disruption in these essential inputs can affect manufacturing operations.

Skill Gaps

• The industry requires specialists in semiconductor engineering, chip design, fabrication processes and advanced manufacturing.
• Developing this workforce requires sustained investment in technical education, training and industry–academia collaboration.

Way Forward

Strengthen Indigenous R&D

• Increase investment in semiconductor research, chip design and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Encourage the development of indigenous intellectual property and processor architectures.

Develop Domestic Equipment and Materials

• Reduce dependence on imported semiconductor equipment and specialised materials.
• Support domestic suppliers and build resilient upstream supply chains.

Expand Manufacturing Capabilities

• Continue developing fabrication, packaging, assembly and testing facilities.
• Strengthen the links between semiconductor manufacturing and India’s wider electronics industry.

Promote Industry–Academia Collaboration

• Encourage partnerships among research institutions, universities, start-ups and semiconductor manufacturers.
• Facilitate technology development, commercialisation and practical training.

Develop Specialised Talent

• Expand semiconductor-focused education and training programmes.
• Build expertise in chip design, fabrication, testing, packaging and equipment engineering.

1. Strengthen Supply-Chain Resilience

• Diversify international sourcing while developing domestic capabilities.
• Improve the reliability of essential infrastructure, including power, water and logistics.
• Integrate Indian firms more deeply into global semiconductor value chains.

Conclusion

India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 marks a shift from ecosystem creation towards ecosystem consolidation and global integration. By strengthening manufacturing, indigenous design, research, equipment production and specialised skills, India can reduce critical import dependencies and position semiconductors as a strategic national capability supporting economic resilience, digital infrastructure and technological sovereignty.

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