AI and Chip Manufacturing Set to Create 4 Million Jobs in India by 2030

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the rapid progress of semiconductor manufacturing are expected to create large-scale employment opportunities in India’s electronics sector by the end of this decade, according to senior government officials. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary S Krishnan said that nearly 4 million new jobs are likely to be generated by 2030, driven by emerging technologies and new manufacturing capacities coming up across the country.

Krishnan highlighted that while some traditional roles such as basic coding and programming may gradually decline, new and more advanced roles will take their place. These include application development, system integration, and specialised technology roles linked to AI-driven products and services. He referred to recent studies that show AI will reshape the job market rather than shrink it, creating fresh opportunities while also demanding new skill sets.

A study cited by NITI Aayog estimates that AI could generate up to 4 million new AI-focused roles in the technology services sector by 2030–31, even as it may displace around 1.5 to 2 million existing jobs. This research was conducted jointly by Boston Consulting Group and Nasscom, underlining the scale of transformation expected in India’s tech ecosystem.

On semiconductor manufacturing, Krishnan said that although chip fabrication plants are highly automated, they create high-quality jobs for skilled technicians and experienced professionals. In addition, many more jobs are generated indirectly through supporting activities and allied industries. Currently, the electronics sector employs around 1.5 million people, and hiring is expected to rise sharply in the coming years.

The government has also introduced the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) to strengthen domestic production and reduce import dependence. This scheme alone is expected to generate over 1.4 lakh direct jobs by 2030–31. Meanwhile, progress on semiconductor plants has been encouraging, with commercial production expected to begin soon, positioning India as a major global hub in the semiconductor value chain.

Source: ET Telecom