1.6M views · Sep 23, 2021 · 17:13 · 2 HN recommenders · 5 mentions · discussed 2021–2025
Asianometry explains why India, a chip design powerhouse, cannot fabricate chips, tracing the 1980s government attempt to build a national semiconductor champion and how it collapsed. It includes the sabotage at the SCL fab.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN uses it as the source on India's early fab attempts, in threads about India's semiconductor ambitions.
“India had sound policies it was quite ahead of time when it created SCL, check this video for more”HN comment, 2025
“Never knew they had built a fab before Taiwan had one.”
Covers India's early fab attempt, built before Taiwan had one
There is a YouTube video about India's attempt at semiconductor fabs. Never knew they had built a fab before Taiwan had one. this video
“India had sound policies it was quite ahead of time when it created SCL, check this video for more”
Shows India had sound early semiconductor policy but weak execution
india does not lacks it, its not price competitive as compared to china which has better supply chain and economy of scale. India and other countries are not going in fab for jobs but for self-reliance. Going for high-value semicon later is similar to the logic of removing poverty first before investing in space tech. It doesn't work that way. India had sound policies it was quite ahead of time when it created SCL, check this video for more this video it does lacks execution though and had some bad luck. India does have 130nm plants right now its obsolete node but works fine for low volume needs of its govt.
Source for India's earlier government-backed fab attempts
>India's first forays into semiconductor fabrication in the 80s and 90s were likewise enthusiastically supported by the government this video
“The initial attempt failed in spectacular fashion back in the 1980s.”
Documents India's failed 1980s semiconductor attempt
The initial attempt failed in spectacular fashion back in the 1980s.[1] Given that the same incompetent bureaucracy still runs the country, this is never going to happen. [1] India's Semiconductor Failure ( this video )
Cited for sabotage at India's SCL fab in the 1980s
most definitely protected, and very expensive insurance too. > gunfire in transit Not just gunfire, they need to protect it from - Climate Activists, blocking road and sabotaging the instrument, like they destroy old paintings at museums and art galleries to bring awareness via headlines [1] - Foreign Adversary Intentionally Sabotaging Equipment to prevent America from leading in Semiconductor ( Had happened to India’s SCL silicon lab when they were catching up with market in 1980s ) [2] - And ofcourse Gun Slingers too [1]( link ) [2]( this video )
