India Plans to Ease BIS Certification Requirements for High-Tech Manufacturing

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday announced that the government will develop a framework to ease Bureau of Indian Standards certification requirements for high-tech companies establishing manufacturing facilities in India. The initiative is designed to facilitate the timely import of specialised equipment and components, with a particular focus on semiconductor and artificial intelligence firms.

Speaking at a roundtable on semiconductors and artificial intelligence in Tokyo during his visit to Japan, Goyal said the government had already directed the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to prepare the necessary framework. He noted that industry representatives, including officials from Japanese semiconductor equipment manufacturer Tokyo Electron, had raised concerns about mandatory certification requirements.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal | Moneycontrol

A Flexible Approach to Exemptions

Goyal explained that the proposed framework could provide exemptions at different levels according to the specific needs of companies and projects. These could include sector-level, company-level, product-level or project-level exemptions. The aim is to ensure that high-tech manufacturers can secure the equipment, goods and services required for their operations without unnecessary delays.

He stated that instructions had already been issued to create a framework of exemption from BIS certification for the equipment and components needed to promote manufacturing in India. The government would finalise the details upon his return, exploring options for bulk exemptions as well as more targeted product, project or company-based solutions. The measures are expected to benefit overseas high-tech firms in general, not only those from Japan, as part of efforts to support manufacturing under the Make in India programme.

Strengthening the Semiconductor and Electronics Ecosystem

Goyal described the semiconductor industry as a priority sector and assured participating companies of full support from both the central and state governments. He reiterated India’s ambition to become a global electronics manufacturing hub and offered assistance in identifying potential partners and investors within the country.

India’s semiconductor demand is projected to expand significantly and could reach around 150 billion US dollars by 2032. Goyal invited Japanese companies to engage across the full value chain, including chip design, equipment and materials, fabrication, advanced packaging, research and development, and talent development.

The announcement aligns with the broader semiconductor strategy. Under the first phase of the India Semiconductor Mission, incentives of approximately 10 billion US dollars have helped attract investments of around 19 billion US dollars. The Cabinet has approved Semicon 2.0 with a budgetary outlay of Rs 1,27,500 crore to strengthen design and manufacturing capabilities further. The government aims to seed about 50 billion US dollars of investment in semiconductors and related industries over the next one-and-a-half years.

Infrastructure development is also receiving attention at key locations such as Dholera and Jagiroad, with support planned for reliable electricity, ultra-pure water, clean-room facilities, waste treatment, logistics and social infrastructure. Goyal indicated that regulatory adjustments to address industry concerns would be completed within a short period to enable smoother investment flows.

The MGMM Outlook 

India is moving to reduce regulatory hurdles for high-tech manufacturers by creating a more flexible framework for exemptions from Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification requirements. The move, announced by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during a semiconductor and artificial intelligence roundtable in Tokyo, is aimed at helping companies import specialised machinery, components and other essential equipment without unnecessary delays. The proposed exemptions could be tailored at the sector, company, product or project level, making the system more responsive to the specific requirements of advanced manufacturing.

The initiative is particularly significant for India’s ambitions in semiconductors, electronics and AI-related industries. With semiconductor demand expected to grow substantially over the coming years, the government is combining regulatory flexibility with financial incentives and infrastructure development to create a stronger manufacturing ecosystem. India’s semiconductor programme has already attracted significant investment, while the next phase is intended to further strengthen domestic design and manufacturing capabilities. By addressing practical concerns raised by global companies and deepening cooperation with partners such as Japan, India is positioning itself as a more competitive destination for high-tech manufacturing and global supply chains. The focus on faster approvals, reliable infrastructure and easier access to specialised equipment could further strengthen the country’s Make in India ambitions and help establish India as a major global hub for advanced electronics and semiconductor production.

(Sources: Moneycontrol, Business Standard, The Indian Express)