Gandhinagar: The Silicon and Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Research and Training Hub (SAMARTH) will soon be established at IIT Gandhinagar. This research and training centre is being set up to support India’s goal of self-reliance in the semiconductor sector, a press release said.

A total budget of ₹190 crore has been jointly provided by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat, and IIT Gandhinagar. IIT Gandhinagar has already begun the process of procuring advanced equipment and appointing consultants for the centre’s construction. Once operational, SAMARTH will offer students modern, industry-relevant training and research opportunities in the semiconductor sector.

SAMARTH Aims to Make Engineering Students Fab-Ready

SAMARTH is being established to build a world-class semiconductor ecosystem in India through innovation, industry partnerships and workforce development. The centre will focus on semiconductor research, training and skill development. It will provide engineering students, professors and semiconductor industry professionals with advanced training and opportunities to upgrade their skills. The centre aims to make engineering students fab-ready, equipping them with the practical knowledge required to work in semiconductor manufacturing plants. It will also conduct dedicated awareness programmes to introduce students to the semiconductor sector at an early stage. As per IIT Gandhinagar, through partnerships with national and global institutions, SAMARTH will serve as an integrated platform for training, research and skill development and will turn students into fab-ready engineers and ideas into licensable IP.

IIT Gandhinagar to Sign MoUs with Gujarat Engineering Colleges

To expand the reach of the initiative, IIT Gandhinagar is preparing to sign MoUs with engineering colleges across Gujarat. The centre will offer training to students at a nominal cost. It will also conduct specialised short-term certificate courses, while summer schools will introduce school and college students to various academic and career opportunities in the semiconductor sector.

Plan to Train 10,000 Students in Five Years

Over the next five years, SAMARTH will support capacity building for 5,600 undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students. In addition, 1,500 technicians will be trained through vocational and technical courses, while 1,000 individuals will be trained through certificate programmes. The centre will also provide upskilling opportunities for 230 faculty members and 230 industry professionals. Beyond formal training, more than 2,700 students will be engaged through summer schools and one-day exposure programmes.

Facilities to Be Developed at SAMARTH

The centre will be equipped with advanced infrastructure for semiconductor education and research. It will include facilities for nano fabrication training and CMOS process technology. A device process characterisation facility will enable inspection, testing and quality assessment of electronic equipment and chip manufacturing processes. In addition, SAMARTH will house a semiconductor process and device design and modelling laboratory, along with an IC design and prototype lab. DeshGujarat