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Taking a significant step toward making India self-reliant in semiconductor manufacturing, the Government of Gujarat has announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art Semiconductor Research and Training Hub at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar with an investment of ₹190 crore. The centre aims to provide world-class research infrastructure and industry-oriented training to engineering students, researchers, faculty members and professionals, helping build a highly skilled workforce for India’s rapidly expanding semiconductor industry.
The new facility has been named the Silicon and Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Research and Training Hub (SAMARTH). The project is being jointly developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat, and IIT Gandhinagar. According to the institute, the centre is expected to become operational soon.
A Major Boost to India’s Semiconductor Mission
Over the past few years, the Government of India has been making sustained efforts to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing. As part of this broader strategy, the SAMARTH Centre at IIT Gandhinagar will integrate research, innovation and skill development under one roof.
The centre will not only provide students with theoretical knowledge but also offer hands-on, industry-oriented training aligned with real-world semiconductor manufacturing requirements. This will enable students to become "fab-ready" and enhance their employability in semiconductor fabrication and allied industries.
Industry-Focused Training for Engineering Students
The primary objective of SAMARTH is to equip engineering students with practical skills in modern semiconductor technologies that meet the evolving needs of the industry.
Specialised training programmes will be offered for undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and PhD students. Participants will receive practical exposure to semiconductor design, fabrication processes, chip manufacturing technologies, integrated circuit (IC) design and other advanced semiconductor disciplines.
In addition, upskilling programmes will be organised for faculty members and industry professionals, enabling them to stay updated with the latest technological developments and industry practices.
Equipped with World-Class Laboratories
The SAMARTH Centre will feature cutting-edge research infrastructure and advanced laboratories. These will include facilities for nano-fabrication, CMOS process training, semiconductor process and device design, device modelling, integrated circuit (IC) design, prototyping and device process characterisation.
The laboratories will support testing, quality assessment and research related to semiconductor manufacturing processes and electronic devices, offering students and researchers access to globally competitive technological resources.
Over 10,000 People to be Trained in Five Years
The centre has set an ambitious target of training more than 10,000 individuals over the next five years.
This includes approximately 5,600 undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students, 1,500 vocational and technical education trainees, 1,000 participants in certificate programmes, 230 faculty members and 230 industry professionals through dedicated upskilling initiatives.
Additionally, more than 2,700 school and college students will participate in summer schools, workshops and one-day exposure programmes designed to introduce them to semiconductor technologies and career opportunities at an early stage.
Engineering Colleges Across Gujarat to Benefit
IIT Gandhinagar is also preparing to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with engineering colleges across Gujarat.
Under these collaborations, students from participating institutions will be able to enrol in SAMARTH's training programmes at nominal fees, enabling thousands of engineering students across the state to access advanced semiconductor education and practical training.
Collaboration with National and International Institutions
The SAMARTH Centre will extend beyond training by collaborating with national and international universities, research institutions and industry partners.
Joint research projects, technical workshops, faculty exchange programmes and knowledge-sharing initiatives are expected to accelerate semiconductor research and innovation in India while providing students with opportunities to learn from global experts.
Short-Term Courses and Summer Schools
Alongside its regular academic programmes, SAMARTH will offer short-term certificate courses, summer schools, workshops and outreach programmes.
These initiatives aim to introduce school and college students to semiconductor technology at an early stage, helping them explore career opportunities in one of the world's fastest-growing technology sectors.
A Significant Step Towards Semiconductor Self-Reliance
IIT Gandhinagar has already initiated the procurement of equipment and the development of the necessary infrastructure for the project.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously emphasised that India's vision extends beyond establishing semiconductor fabrication plants. The country's broader objective is to build a complete semiconductor ecosystem encompassing design, research, manufacturing, machinery, logistics and a highly skilled workforce.
Experts believe that the SAMARTH Centre at IIT Gandhinagar will play a pivotal role in achieving this vision. Besides providing engineering students with advanced technical education and practical industry training, the centre is expected to strengthen India's position in the global semiconductor industry and significantly contribute to flagship initiatives such as Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and the India Semiconductor Mission.
