SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure | SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth
Institutions: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology | IIT Bhubaneswar
The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has approved the setting up of a NaMo Semiconductor Laboratory at IIT Bhubaneswar, with an estimated cost of ₹4.95 crore, funded under MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme.
The lab will provide equipment, software, and cleanroom support to train students in semiconductor design, fabrication, and packaging, positioning IIT Bhubaneswar as a regional hub for semiconductor R&D and skilling.
This initiative supports India’s Make in India and Design in India goals, aiming to strengthen the domestic semiconductor ecosystem by building industry-ready talent.
As India invests in semiconductor manufacturing under the India Semiconductor Mission, labs like this fill crucial gaps in the talent pipeline. They help reduce dependence on foreign skills, enable local design autonomy, and strengthen linkages between academia, industry, and manufacturing units.
What is Cleanroom Support? → A cleanroom is a controlled laboratory environment where dust, particles, and contaminants are filtered out to maintain ultra-pure conditions needed for semiconductor design, chip fabrication, and testing. “Cleanroom support” refers to providing such contamination-free facilities, specialised air filtration, and equipment so that students and researchers can safely handle micro- and nano-scale materials without compromising precision or quality.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can this lab be scaled and networked with other institutions and industry to ensure that graduates contribute directly to India’s chip manufacturing plants, rather than leak abroad?
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Setting up of ‘NaMo Semiconductor Laboratory’ at IIT Bhubaneswar approved