Tata Electronics is planning to make India’s first semiconductor wafers on far older technology than it originally expected. The tech arm of the sprawling Tata conglomerate is preparing to build the country’s first large-scale chip fab or production plant mostly based on 90-nanometer process technology at its facility at Dholera in western Gujarat state. This technology is used in lower-end industrial applications and cars—one which risks becoming obsolete in coming years.
It’s also a far humbler start than the 28nm node that Tata Sons Pvt., the group’s holding company, had touted as the starting point of its chipmaking journey in its annual report for the year ended March 2025.
A spokesperson for Tata Electronics said the Dholera fab will manufacture chips spanning 28nm to 110nm. The plan “was always to start with 55nm and 90nm, followed by 28nm,” the spokesperson said, adding that 28nm “will be a key part of our offering.”
The partnership with Tata covers several technology nodes with the most advanced process being 28nm, PSMC Spokesperson Eric Tang said in an emailed response. “It is common that the introduction of the technology platform will be gradual, starting with more mature nodes,” Tang said.
Tata Group, despite its manufacturing prowess in making products ranging from luxury sedans to industrial chemicals, is still early in the learning curve of the intricate world of chipmaking.
Yet Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is leaning on the conglomerate to help reduce India’s import dependence and secure a seat at the global semiconductor table.
