India’s semiconductor ambitions have received a major boost. According to Amitesh Sinha — Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics & IT and CEO of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) — six government‑approved projects are projected to produce over 24 billion chips per year

• The approved portfolio includes one wafer fabrication plant (by Tata Electronics) and five packaging & test facilities.
• Tata’s fab is set up for a capacity of 50,000 wafers per month.
• The five ATMP (assembly, testing, and packaging) units will combine for the 24 billion‑chip output target annually
• More proposals are awaiting approval under ISM 1.0 and upcoming ISM 2.0, which will further expand capacity

Project Highlights

Combined output from these five ATMP units delivers the bulk of the 24 billion‑chip capacity per annum quoted by the official.
Strategic Significance

• These six approved projects are part of a ₹76,000 crore (≈US $10 billion) semiconductor incentive scheme launched under ISM to build India’s chip ecosystem
• ISM has been structured in phases; the first phase (ISM 1.0) is nearly fully allocated, and ISM 2.0 is on the cards to fund new proposals
• These initiatives mark India’s strategic effort to reduce dependency on chip imports, support sectors like automotive, telecom, consumer electronics, and integrate into global value chains.

Future Pipeline

• More project approvals are expected soon, including proposals from Hiranandani’s Tarq Semiconductors, Adani‑Tower Semiconductor JV, Vedanta plans in Dholera, among others
• Tata’s Dholera fab is expected to come online by 2026, producing mature-node chips (~28 nm) with eventual total capacity around 50,000 wafers/month (~20,000 skilled jobs)
• The HCL‑Foxconn unit will ramp up production by 2027, aligning with next‑gen display and automotive applications
• On the research front, IIIT Hyderabad has launched a microfabrication ‘FabLab’ to bolster India’s R&D capabilities in semiconductor technology

Why 24 Billion Chips Matter

• The 24 billion figure refers solely to annual output from packaging/testing units, not raw wafer output.
• A long‑term journey, with wafer fabs feeding downstream assembly units, the ecosystem is envisioned to scale further as newer proposals get approved.
• The capacity positioning gives India entry into the global mature-node chip segment used in power electronics, automotive ECUs, smartphones, display drivers—and lays foundation for future advanced R&D and design-based growth.

Bottom Line

As of August 1, 2025, India has approved six semiconductor projects—including one major wafer fabrication unit and five packaging/test plants—that together will produce over 24 billion chips annually. This initial wave is underpinned by ₹76,000 crore in government incentives and marks a seminal shift toward building a domestic semiconductor ecosystem. With more proposals in the pipeline and further phases of policy support (ISM 2.0), India is setting its long‑term path to chip self‑reliance and global tech relevance.

Raksha Bandhan is more than a festival—it’s a celebration of sibling bonds, memories, and thoughtful surprises. For 2025, tech gifting has a new champion: Apple’s iPhone 15—now available for as low as ₹44,900, making it one of the most attractively priced iPhones since launch.

Whether you’re buying for a sibling or yourself, these limited-time deals make the iPhone 15 a serious contender in the under-₹50K segment.

Understanding the ₹45,000 Price Tag: How Is It Possible?

Apple launched the iPhone 15 (128GB) at ₹79,900 in September 2023. As of mid-2025, pricing has dropped significantly on major platforms, especially when combined with exchange offers and bank card discounts.

Deal Breakdown:

If you’re trading in an iPhone 12 or 13, your effective upgrade cost drops by ₹30,000+.

Why This Matters: Value vs. Timing

Historically, Apple doesn’t slash prices dramatically. What makes this deal exceptional?

• Pre-iPhone 16 Window: As iPhone 16 nears launch, retailers clear out iPhone 15 stock.
• Raksha Bandhan Demand Spike: Gift season brings aggressive pricing to drive sales.
• Exchange Ecosystem Maturity: India now has trade-in pipelines that offer real value for older iPhones.
• Bank-Backed Campaigns: Cashback and EMI options sweeten the pot—especially on SBI, HDFC, and ICICI platforms.

iPhone 15 Specs Recap (Still Flagship-Worthy)

• 6.1” Super Retina XDR display
• A16 Bionic chip — Same as iPhone 14 Pro
• 48MP Main Camera — Major leap over iPhone 14’s 12MP
• Dynamic Island — A Pro-only feature now in base models
• USB-C Port — Future-ready charging
• iOS 17 (Upgradable to iOS 19+)

You’re not buying a “budget iPhone.” You’re getting Apple’s 2023 flagship minus the Pro features, at nearly half the launch price.

Real Buyer Scenarios: Case Studies

Gifting a Younger Sibling (Mumbai)

Rohan traded in his sister’s iPhone 11 for ₹17,000, got ₹4,000 HDFC cashback, and bought the iPhone 15 at ₹44,900. Total spend: ₹23,900.

Upgrading from iPhone XR (Delhi)

Simran’s XR fetched ₹13,200 in exchange. Using SBI card discount and cashback, her final cost came to ₹30,500.

First-Time iPhone Buyer (Bengaluru)

Ashish, a Flipkart Plus user, got a no-exchange deal at ₹55,000 during a limited flash drop. He used Amazon Pay cashback credits to lower the price further.

Buyer Psychology: Why It Feels Worth It

iPhone is not just a device—it’s an aspirational brand in India. With many users holding off due to price, these Raksha Bandhan offers eliminate the price barrier while adding emotional appeal.

• Gift factor: Unlike generic phones, iPhones carry social status and brand weight.
• Longevity: You get at least 4 years of OS updates, future-proofing your gift.
• User Delight: FaceTime, iMessage, AirDrop — all exclusive iOS perks become instantly accessible.

Shopping Platforms Comparison

Pro Tips for Buyers

• Backup your old iPhone before trade-in to avoid delays.
• Check screen damage — cracked screens reduce trade-in value by 50–80%.
• Clear Apple ID from old phones to unlock full value.
• Buy before August 10, as Rakhi campaigns usually expire early.
• Compare your exchange value on Apple India vs Amazon for best ROI.

What Is the Amazon Great Freedom Sale?

The Amazon Great Freedom Sale is one of Amazon India’s biggest mid-year sales, launched every August in the lead-up to Independence Day. It’s designed to offer huge savings across every product category, and it typically draws in millions of shoppers across the country.

This year, the sale begins on August 1, 2025, and Prime members will get early access from midnight.

Sale Timeline

Categories to Watch (With Discount Ranges)

Electronics & Gadgets (Up to 80% Off)

• Smart TVs, laptops, earbuds, gaming consoles, PC accessories
• Early reveals: OnePlus 13R, Oppo Reno14, Samsung Galaxy M36

Fashion & Lifestyle (50–80% Off)

• Brands like Puma, Levi’s, BIBA, Adidas, Allen Solly
• Ethnic and Western wear, shoes, handbags, and watches

Home, Kitchen & Furniture (Up to 70% Off)

• Mixer grinders, ACs, refrigerators, dishwashers
• AmazonBasics home essentials, Prestige, LG, Whirlpool

Mobiles & Tablets (Up to 40% Off + Exchange Offers)

• Up to ₹5,000 extra off on exchange
• Discounts on iPhones, Redmi, OnePlus, Samsung, Realme

Beauty & Wellness (Up to 60% Off)

• L’Oréal, Mamaearth, Wow, Nivea, The Man Company
• Perfumes, grooming kits, hair care combos

Books, Toys & Gaming (Up to 70% Off)

• Board games, LEGO, bestsellers, exam prep books, storybooks

Additional Offerings

Bank Offers

• SBI Credit Card: Extra 10% instant discount
• Axis, ICICI, and HDFC likely to join with special offers
• Debit card & EMI deals available on eligible items

No-Cost EMI

• Available on electronics, appliances, smartphones
• Tenures ranging from 3 to 24 months

Exchange Offers

• Up to ₹18,000 off for old gadgets/mobiles/laptops
• Instant valuation via Amazon app

Featured Launches & Deals Preview

• OnePlus 13R: ₹36,999 with discounts + exchange
• Oppo Reno14: ₹34,200 with EMI and cashback
• Samsung M36 5G: ₹15,999, down from ₹22,999
• HP Laptop 15s: ₹39,999 with student offer

Smart Buyer Tips

1. Wishlist Now: Add your desired products in advance.
2. Subscribe to Prime: ₹299/month to get early access + free delivery.
3. Check Amazon Coupons: Many offers require applying a coupon at checkout.
4. Compare Before Buying: Check Flipkart and Croma for price comparisons.
5. Read Reviews: Especially for electronics and appliances.

How to Track & Maximize Deals

• Use the Amazon App’s deal tracker
• Enable Push Notifications for lightning deals
• Set alerts for Deal of the Day
• Follow trusted YouTube/Telegram channels for curated links