Government adopts multi-dimensional roadmap for semiconductor talent supply chain
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
The government has adopted a multi-dimensional roadmap to build a robust semiconductor talent supply chain in design, manufacturing, and advanced packaging. This initiative aims to support the entire semiconductor value chain from chip design to assembly, testing, marking, and packaging (ATMP).
Background
India launched the Semicon India programme (recently renamed Semicon 2.0) to boost semiconductor ecosystem. Under this, various skill development initiatives have been undertaken to create a skilled workforce.
Key facts
Over 1 lakh engineers trained under semiconductor talent development initiatives.
68,000 individuals skilled in chip design and 175 chip designs completed.
Chips to Startup (C2S) programme provides free access to state-of-the-art chip design tools; usage crossed 240 lakh hours.
Semi-conductor Future Skills Talent Committee Report submitted; AICTE introduced new curriculum for graduate, diploma, and short degree courses in semiconductor.
SMART Lab at NIELIT Calicut aims to train 1 lakh engineers in VLSI, embedded systems, and IoT; over 1 lakh trained so far.
Project approved for semiconductor assembly and ESD training lab at NIELIT Guwahati to support ATMP training.
ISM partnered with Lam Research for nanofabrication and process-engineering training; target to train 60,000 personnel in 10 years.
FutureSkills PRIME programme (with NASSCOM) provides online skilling in emerging technologies including semiconductors.
Prelims pointers
- Semicon India programme (Semicon 2.0)
- Chips to Startup (C2S) programme
- SMART Lab (Skilled Manpower Advanced Research & Training) at NIELIT Calicut
- FutureSkills PRIME programme (MeitY & NASSCOM)
- AICTE new curriculum for semiconductor courses
- ATMP: Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging
- NIELIT: National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology
- ISM: Indian School of Mines (now IIT-ISM Dhanbad)
- Lam Research partnership for nanofabrication training
- Semi-conductor Future Skills Talent Committee
Mains angles
- Discuss the government's initiatives to build a semiconductor talent pool and their potential impact on India's electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
- Critically examine the role of public-private partnerships in skill development for emerging technologies like semiconductors.
- How can India leverage its demographic dividend to become a global semiconductor talent hub? Analyze.