GANDHINAGAR: In a major push to develop a highly skilled workforce for India’s rapidly expanding electronics sector, Gujarat is set to establish a dedicated semiconductor research and training center at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar with an investment of ₹190 crore.
Named the Silicon and Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Research and Training Hub (SAMARTH), the facility is jointly funded by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Gujarat government’s Department of Science and Technology, and IIT Gandhinagar.
With equipment procurement and consultant appointments already underway, the facility is expected to become operational soon, cementing Gujarat’s position as a premier hub for semiconductor manufacturing.
Forging a ‘Fab-Ready’ Workforce
SAMARTH is explicitly designed to support India’s broader mission of achieving self-reliance in semiconductor manufacturing. The hub bridges the gap between academic theory and practical application, equipping engineering students with industry-oriented training to make them immediately employable in semiconductor fabrication facilities.
To maximize its reach, IIT Gandhinagar is preparing to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with engineering colleges across Gujarat, allowing external students to enroll in SAMARTH training programs at nominal fees.
Over the next five years, the center aims to train more than 10,000 individuals across various educational and professional levels:
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5,600 undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students
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1,500 vocational and technical education trainees
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1,000 participants in specialized short-term certificate programs
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460 faculty members and industry professionals (through dedicated upskilling initiatives)
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2,700+ school and college students (via summer schools and early-stage exposure programs)
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
To provide hands-on experience, the SAMARTH facility will house an array of advanced, specialized laboratories, including:
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Nano-fabrication and CMOS process training labs
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Semiconductor process and device design centers
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Integrated circuit (IC) design and prototyping facilities
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A device process characterization laboratory for the testing, inspection, and quality assessment of electronic devices.
Building a Complete Ecosystem
The establishment of SAMARTH aligns directly with the central government’s aggressive push to localize electronics manufacturing.
Highlighting this broader vision for the sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently stated:
“Our goal is not limited to setting up just one factory, but to build an entire ecosystem. India is now focusing on the entire semiconductor value chain, from design engineers to machine manufacturers and logistics. The announcement of the ‘India Semiconductor Mission 2.0’ is a major step in this direction. As production increases, the demand for materials and components within India will also rise, creating the biggest opportunity for domestic industries.”
