Nod for NaMo Semiconductor Lab at IIT Bhubaneswar to develop talent pool for indigenous chip manufacturing, packaging

In a significant boost to India's semiconductor sector, Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has announced the establishment of the 'NaMo Semiconductor Laboratory' at IIT Bhubaneswar. This initiative is set to be financed through the MPLAD Scheme with an estimated budget of ₹4.95 crore. The semiconductor lab aims to empower the youth by providing them with the necessary skills for indigenous chip manufacturing and packaging. According to a recent press release from the Ministry of Electronics & IT, the lab is poised to transform IIT Bhubaneswar into a center of excellence for semiconductor research and skill development. It will play a vital role in nurturing talent for the burgeoning chip manufacturing units emerging across India. This initiative aligns with the governmental efforts to promote the 'Make in India' and 'Design in India' campaigns, serving as a catalyst for the rapidly evolving semiconductor ecosystem in the country. Notably, India is home to 20% of the global chip design workforce, with students from 295 universities currently utilizing advanced Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools provided by the industry. In recent developments, twenty-eight student-designed chips from twenty different institutions have been successfully taped out at SCL Mohali. Additionally, Odisha has received the green light for two semiconductor projects under the India Semiconductor Mission, including a facility focused on Silicon Carbide (SiC) and an advanced 3D glass packaging facility. IIT Bhubaneswar already hosts the Silicon Carbide Research and Innovation Centre (SiCRIC), and the new lab will enhance the institute's existing cleanroom facilities, further supporting India's semiconductor industry. The proposed lab will be equipped with essential tools and software for training, design, and fabrication, with an estimated expenditure of ₹4.6 crore for equipment and ₹35 lakh for software.