🗞️ Why in News Iran’s attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG hub on March 2 disrupted approximately 33% of global helium supply, threatening India’s semiconductor manufacturing plans and escalating costs for hospital MRI services across the country.
Why Helium Is Critical
Helium (He, atomic number 2) is the second lightest and second most abundant element in the universe but is extremely rare on Earth — it is extracted as a byproduct of natural gas processing and cannot be synthesised or recycled economically.
Helium in Semiconductor Manufacturing
| Application | Role |
|---|---|
| Cooling | Cools semiconductor fabrication chambers and MRI superconducting magnets to near absolute zero |
| Carrier gas | Used in Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) — deposits thin films on silicon wafers |
| Leak detection | Helium’s small atomic radius (31 pm) makes it ideal for detecting microscopic leaks in chip packaging |
| Lithography | Used in Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography environments to prevent contamination |
| Purging | Flushes oxygen and moisture from process chambers |
Beyond Semiconductors
- MRI machines: Liquid helium cools superconducting magnets to -269°C (4.2 K)
- Space launches: Pressurises fuel tanks (ISRO, NASA, SpaceX)
- Welding: Shielding gas for arc welding of reactive metals (aluminium, titanium)
- Deep-sea diving: Heliox mixture (helium + oxygen) prevents nitrogen narcosis
The Supply Disruption
Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City is the world’s largest LNG processing complex and a major helium source:
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Ras Laffan share of global helium | ~33% |
| Attack date | March 2, 2026 (by Iran) |
| Global helium production (pre-attack) | ~180 million cubic metres/year |
| Top producers | US (~40%), Qatar (~33%), Algeria (~10%), Russia, Australia |
Impact on India
Semiconductor Sector
India’s ambitious semiconductor programme faces potential delays:
| Project | Location | Partner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Electronics Fab | Dholera, Gujarat | PSMC (Taiwan) | Under construction |
| Micron ATMP facility | Sanand, Gujarat | Micron Technology (US) | Nearing completion |
| HCL Fab | Greater Noida, UP | — | Planning stage |
| CG Power OSAT | Sanand, Gujarat | Renesas (Japan) | Under construction |
All these require reliable helium supply for fabrication and testing processes. A sustained shortage could delay commissioning timelines.
Healthcare
- Indian hospitals report rising MRI costs and longer wait times
- Each MRI machine uses ~1,700 litres of liquid helium
- Helium refills cost Rs 15–25 lakh per machine; prices surging post-attack
- Some smaller diagnostic centres may shut down MRI services temporarily
India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)
Launched in 2021 under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY):
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Budget | Rs 76,000 crore (~$10 billion) |
| Objective | Build domestic semiconductor and display fabrication ecosystem |
| Incentives | Up to 50% capital subsidy for fab units |
| Design support | Up to Rs 15 crore per chip design |
| Key body | India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) under Digital India Corporation |
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Helium properties, Ras Laffan, India Semiconductor Mission budget, EUV lithography, CVD process
Mains GS-3: Technology indigenisation, supply chain vulnerability, energy-tech nexus, India’s semiconductor strategy
📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia
Helium — Key Properties:
- Atomic number: 2; symbol: He; noble gas
- Boiling point: -268.93°C (4.22 K) — lowest of any element
- Non-renewable: Extracted from natural gas; escapes Earth’s atmosphere if released
- Global production: ~180 million cubic metres/year
- Top producers: US (~40%), Qatar (~33%), Algeria (~10%), Russia, Australia
India Semiconductor Mission:
- Launched: 2021 under MeitY
- Budget: Rs 76,000 crore ($10 billion)
- Tata-PSMC fab: Dholera, Gujarat
- Micron ATMP: Sanand, Gujarat
- Goal: Make India a global semiconductor hub by 2030
Other Relevant Facts:
- Ras Laffan: World’s largest LNG industrial city; located in Qatar’s northeastern coast
- Qatar LNG capacity: ~77 million tonnes/year (world’s 2nd largest after Australia)
- EUV lithography: Uses 13.5 nm wavelength light; only ASML (Netherlands) makes EUV machines
- CVD: Chemical Vapour Deposition — key step in chip fabrication for depositing thin films
Sources: Business Standard, The Hindu, MeitY