IIT Gandhinagar to launch Rs 190 crore SAMARTH

IIT Gandhinagar is set to establish the Silicon and Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Research and Training Hub (SAMARTH), a new centre aimed at strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem through advanced research, skill development, and industry-focused training. The project, supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Gujarat government’s Department of Science and Technology, and IIT Gandhinagar, has been allocated a budget of Rs 190 crore. Preparatory work, including procurement of equipment and appointment of consultants for construction, has already begun.

The facility will feature advanced laboratories for nanofabrication, CMOS process training, semiconductor device characterisation, chip design, device modelling, and integrated circuit (IC) prototyping. It is intended to equip engineering students, faculty members, researchers, and industry professionals with practical skills aligned with current manufacturing requirements.

IIT Gandhinagar is also planning to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with engineering colleges across Gujarat to expand access to the programme.

The initiative will include short-term certification courses, summer schools, and awareness programmes designed to prepare students for careers in semiconductor manufacturing.

Over the next five years, SAMARTH aims to train more than 10,000 individuals, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, PhD scholars, technicians, faculty members, and industry professionals, creating a skilled workforce to support India’s growing semiconductor sector.