============================================================================

                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                    -----------------------------------





                                  FORM 8-K

                               CURRENT REPORT

                   PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                    -----------------------------------



DATE OF REPORT:   JULY 19, 2001
DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED:    JULY 19, 2001

                        GENERAL SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


           DELAWARE                         1-15442               13-3575653
 (State or other jurisdiction     (Commission File Number)     (I.R.S. Employer
     of incorporation or                                        Identification
        organization)              10 MELVILLE PARK ROAD           Number)
                                  MELVILLE, NEW YORK 11747

                  (Address of principal executive offices)




REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE:           (631) 847-3000

Item 5.   Other Events.
          ------------

          On July 19, 2001 the registrant issued the press release filed as
Exhibit 99.1 hereto.


Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.
          ---------------------------------




               Exhibit       Description
               -------       -----------

                99.1         Press Release issued July 19, 2001

                                 SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on behalf of
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

          Dated: July 19, 2001


                                          GENERAL SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.


                                          By:  /s/ Robert J. Gange
                                             -----------------------------
                                             Robert J. Gange
                                             Senior Vice President and
                                             Chief Financial Officer

                               EXHIBIT INDEX

               Exhibit       Description
               -------       -----------

                99.1         Press Release issued July 19, 2001