Qualcomm and Tata Electronics Partner to Manufacture Automotive Modules in India Boosting Make in India Vision

What You need to Know

• Qualcomm has partnered with Tata Electronics to manufacture automotive modules in India for the first time.

• The modules will be assembled at Tata Electronics’ upcoming $3 billion semiconductor OSAT facility in Jagiroad, Assam.

• This partnership adds India to Qualcomm’s global manufacturing network rather than making it a domestic-only initiative.

• The move aligns with the Government of India’s Make in India initiative to strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem.

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Another major leap has been achieved in India’s semiconductor plans as Qualcomm has teamed up with Tata Electronics to assemble automotive modules in India. This was announced during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, and this is the first time that Qualcomm’s automotive modules will be assembled in India.

This tie-up is more than just a simple manufacturing partnership it is an indicator of the importance that India is gaining in the international semiconductor and automotive electronics supply chain. Tata Electronics has already announced the setting up of a large semiconductor assembly and test facility in Assam.

Automotive Modules to Be Assembled in Assam

As per the deal, Tata Electronics will produce Qualcomm Automotive Modules at its new semiconductor assembly and testing facility, which is to be set up in Jagiroad, in the northeastern state of Assam.

The Jagiroad facility is being set up as a greenfield OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) unit, which is expected to be invested in to the tune of approximately $3 billion. The facility is expected to be one of the main production sites for the company in the semiconductor packaging and testing business.

Notably, Qualcomm will be adding Tata Electronics to its list of global module manufacturing partners. This means that the facility in Assam will not be an independent or a solely India-based operation, but will be a part of Qualcomm’s global supply chain plans.

What Exactly Will Be Manufactured

The collaboration is specifically targeted at system-in-package (SiP) automotive modules and not the fabrication of chips. According to Manmeet Singh, Senior Director and India Business Head for Automotive, IoT, Connectivity, and Broadband at Qualcomm, the collaboration is based on the assembly of ready-to-use automotive modules.

The modules feature the integration of Snapdragon Digital Chassis system-on-chip solutions, along with other components, in a compact and production-ready form factor. Rather than the fabrication of raw semiconductor wafers or the production of chips from scratch, the Assam facility will be involved in the assembly and packaging of advanced automotive electronics systems.

The Snapdragon Digital Chassis platform is widely used in:

• Digital cockpit systems

• Advanced infotainment solutions

• Vehicle connectivity platforms

• Intelligent driver assistance systems

• Smart in-car computing environments

By assembling these modules locally, India will become part of the high-value automotive electronics ecosystem, even though chip fabrication will continue outside the country for now.

Chip Fabrication Still Outside India

Although this is a huge step ahead, the latest semiconductor chip manufacturing is not in India yet. The Snapdragon SoCs employed in these modules demand the latest manufacturing nodes that are not available in India.

As a result:

• The core chips will continue to be fabricated overseas.

• The Jagiroad facility will handle assembly, integration, packaging, and testing.

• India will contribute to value addition through advanced semiconductor packaging rather than wafer fabrication.

However, discussions are reportedly ongoing about the possibility of producing other types of chips locally in the future, depending on how India’s semiconductor ecosystem evolves.

Not Limited to Indian Automakers

One of the most significant points in this announcement is that the production at the facility in Assam will not be limited to car manufacturers in India.

As per statements made to Business Standard, the modules assembled at Jagiroad will also be delivered to international customers. This indicates that the facility is a part of the overall global supply chain of Qualcomm and not a local manufacturing facility.

For India, this means:

• Integration into international semiconductor logistics networks

• Export potential in high-value automotive electronics

• Increased foreign exchange earnings

• Stronger positioning in the global automotive tech market

This move significantly enhances India’s credibility as a reliable semiconductor assembly hub.

A Strategic Boost for Tata Electronics

For Tata Electronics, this partnership brings a major global technology company into its client portfolio. As it builds out its semiconductor packaging and testing operations, onboarding Qualcomm strengthens its standing in the global semiconductor industry.

The Jagiroad OSAT facility is being designed to support multiple advanced technologies, including:

• Wire bond packaging

• Flip chip assembly

• Integrated systems packaging

Beyond automotive modules, the plant is also being set up to serve industries such as:

• Communications

• Internet of Things (IoT)

• Artificial Intelligence

This diversification ensures that the facility is future-ready and not dependent on a single sector.

Aligning with the Make in India Vision

The collaboration is very much in line with the “Make in India” initiative of the Government of India, which focuses on encouraging local manufacturing and minimizing dependence on imports in the key technology domain.

With the inclusion of India in its worldwide manufacturing network, Qualcomm is clearly expressing its confidence in the developing semiconductor ecosystem in India. For the government, this agreement is:

• Progress in semiconductor self-reliance

• Expansion of high-tech manufacturing jobs

• Increased private sector participation in electronics manufacturing

• Strengthened global partnerships

Although mobile Snapdragon SoCs are not currently part of this agreement, the automotive-focused initiative lays a strong foundation for future semiconductor collaborations.

The automotive industry is rapidly transforming with the integration of digital systems, connectivity features, and AI-powered intelligence. Modern vehicles now rely heavily on semiconductor-driven systems for:

• Real-time navigation and infotainment

• Connected car ecosystems

• Over-the-air software updates

• Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)

By assembling Snapdragon-based automotive modules domestically, India positions itself at the intersection of automotive innovation and semiconductor growth.

This partnership could also attract additional global players to consider India for semiconductor packaging and testing operations, accelerating ecosystem development.

What Is Not Included in the Agreement

It is important to clarify what this deal does not currently cover:

• No fabrication of Snapdragon mobile SoCs in India

• No wafer manufacturing under this agreement

• No immediate expansion into consumer smartphone chip production

For now, the focus remains strictly on automotive modules. Manufacturing operations will begin once the Assam plant becomes fully operational.

The collaboration between Qualcomm and Tata Electronics is a strategic and symbolic turning point. Although India is yet to develop sophisticated semiconductor fabrication facilities, the role of a trusted assembly and packaging partner is an essential stepping stone in this direction.

The $3 billion greenfield OSAT project in Jagiroad is a commitment to the long term, and the fact that Qualcomm has included Tata Electronics in its worldwide network is a testament to the country’s manufacturing prowess.

With the global automotive technology landscape rapidly advancing towards software-defined cars and AI-driven mobility solutions, the role of India in the assembly of sophisticated automotive modules could be a game-changer.

If this collaboration goes as planned, it could open doors for more semiconductor work to be done in India, perhaps even semiconductor fabrication in the years to come.

For now, the agenda is quite clear: enhance India’s stature in the automotive semiconductor assembly business and make the country an important player in the global tech value chain.