India's Semiconductor Startup Program Success

Chips to Start-Up (C2S) Program Summary

Objective: To enhance India’s indigenous semiconductor design capabilities and promote start-ups in the semiconductor sector.

Key Facts:

• Training Participation: Over 1 lakh individuals enrolled in chip design training; approximately 67,000 have completed it.
• Collaboration: Conducted 6 shared wafer runs and over 265 training sessions in partnership with industry stakeholders.
• Submissions: Received 122 designs from 46 institutions; 56 student-designed chips successfully manufactured, packaged, and delivered.
• Patents and IP: Participants filed more than 75 patents and developed over 500 IP cores, ASICs, and SoCs.

Strategic Context:

• Economic Potential: Global semiconductor demand is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030; India aims for significant contribution.
• Skill Needs: Anticipates a need for 1 million additional skilled professionals in the semiconductor field by 2032 due to a global talent shortage.

Government Initiatives:

• Launch: The C2S program was launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with a budget of ₹250 crores for five years.
• Goals: Prepare 85,000 professionals including 200 PhD researchers, 7,000 M.Tech graduates, and 8,800 specialized M.Tech graduates in VLSI.
• Support for Startups: Aims to facilitate incubation for 25 start-ups and technology transfers for 10 projects.

Capacity Development:

• Provides access to advanced semiconductor design tools and smart laboratory facilities.
• Aims to support hands-on training, innovation, and technology transfer beyond just human resource development.

Participating Institutions:

• Involves over 400 organizations, including 305 academic institutions and 95 start-ups, engaging in comprehensive chip design training and project incubation.

Institutional Framework:

• ChipIn Center: Located in C-DAC Bangalore, it provides shared semiconductor design infrastructure and technical mentorship for over 300 institutions.
• SCL Collaboration: The Semiconductor Laboratory in Mohali aids in the manufacturing of chip designs from participant institutions.

Program Achievements:

• Impact on Design and Research: Significant participation, with over 175 million hours of tool use reported across institutions.
• Emphasis on a practical understanding of chip design processes, including design verification and manufacturing.

Conclusion: The C2S program signifies India's commitment to building a robust and self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem, enhancing the country’s economic development, technological capabilities, and competitive edge in the global market. By fostering innovation and equipping talent, India stands ready to play a pivotal role in the global semiconductor landscape.

Reference Links:

• C2S Program Portal: C2S.gov.in
• Press Releases: Available on the Press Information Bureau (PIB) website.