The newly inaugurated NaMo Semiconductor Lab in Bhubaneshwar is set to play a pivotal role in India’s evolving semiconductor landscape. This facility aims to enhance research, skill development, and support the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Design in India’ initiatives, making it a cornerstone of the nation’s push towards self-sufficiency in semiconductor technology.
Located at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar, the NaMo Semiconductor Laboratory will receive funding through the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLAD). The overall budget for this initiative is projected at approximately Rs. 4.95 crore dedicated to acquiring essential equipment, along with an additional Rs 35 lakh allocated for software resources.
This facility is expected to significantly contribute to the cultivation of talent tailored for the chip manufacturing and packaging sectors, which are rapidly emerging across the nation. Such initiatives are critical as India seeks to bolster its standing in the global semiconductor market.
India currently boasts around 20 percent of the world’s chip design expertise and has recently achieved a milestone by producing its inaugural ‘Made in India’ chips from a pilot production line. This significant achievement was showcased to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September, highlighting the strides the country is making in semiconductor manufacturing.
The Indian government is now prioritizing advancements in product development, service expansion, and skill enhancement, all aimed at establishing a robust and self-sustaining semiconductor ecosystem. This vision is crucial for meeting both domestic and international demands for semiconductor technology.
Students from 295 universities nationwide are currently utilizing cutting-edge Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools provided by industry leaders. Remarkably, 28 student-designed chips from 20 different institutions have successfully been developed at the Semiconductor Complex Limited (SCL) in Mohali, reflecting the growing engagement of academia in semiconductor innovation.
In a recent development, Odisha has received the green light for two semiconductor projects under the India Semiconductor Mission. One of these projects involves establishing an integrated facility dedicated to Silicon Carbide (SiC)-based compound semiconductors, while the second project focuses on an advanced 3D glass packaging facility, as confirmed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
The IIT Bhubaneswar campus is already home to the Silicon Carbide Research and Innovation Centre (SiCRIC), and the introduction of the new semiconductor lab will complement the existing cleanroom facilities. This enhancement will provide vital research and development resources to support the growth of India’s semiconductor industry, facilitating innovation and collaboration across various sectors.
