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India Accelerates Semiconductor Mission with Chips to Start-up Programme
Summary: India is rapidly building a future-ready semiconductor ecosystem through the Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme, a flagship initiative by MeitY. The programme empowers students, researchers, and startups with world-class chip design tools, fabrication access, and industry mentoring-positioning India as a global hub for semiconductor design talent.
Why Semiconductors Matter for India’s Future
18 January 2026,Source: PIB Delhi -Semiconductors are the backbone of modern technology. From smartphones and electric vehicles to defence systems, AI platforms, 5G networks, and supercomputers, every advanced technology depends on chips.
Global Semiconductor Opportunity
This shortage presents a major opportunity for India to emerge as a trusted global talent and design partner.
Global Semiconductor Opportunity
- The global semiconductor market is expected to reach USD 1 trillion by 2030
- Worldwide, the industry faces a shortage of over 1 million skilled professionals by 2032
This shortage presents a major opportunity for India to emerge as a trusted global talent and design partner.
India’s Strategic Focus on Chip Design
Recognising chip design as a national strategic priority, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched targeted initiatives to strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
Key Government Objectives
- Build large-scale industry-ready semiconductor talent
- Reduce dependence on foreign chip design
- Enable indigenous innovation and self-reliance
- Strengthen India’s position in the global semiconductor value chain
At the centre of this effort is the Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme.
What Is the Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme?
The Chips to Start-up Programme, launched in 2022, is a national capacity-building initiative with a total outlay of ₹250 crore over five years.
Programme Coverage
- 305 academic institutions across India
- 95 semiconductor startups
- Over 400 organisations participating nationwide
The programme democratises access to advanced chip design capabilities, enabling participation irrespective of institution size or location.
Talent Development Goals Under C2S Programme
The C2S Programme aims to create 85,000 skilled semiconductor professionals across multiple academic levels.
Targeted Skill Creation
- 200 PhD scholars in advanced chip research
- 7,000 M.Tech graduates in VLSI & Embedded Systems
- 8,800 M.Tech students from electronics, communication & computer systems
- 69,000 B.Tech students trained through VLSI-focused curricula
This ensures a strong talent pipeline for India’s semiconductor industry.
Beyond Skills: Startups, Patents & Research
C2S is not limited to training alone-it is designed to build a complete innovation ecosystem.
Innovation & Research Targets
- Incubation of 25 semiconductor startups
- 10 technology transfers
- 50+ patents
- 2,000+ research publications
- Training of 1 lakh students
- Access to SMART labs across India
This integrated approach strengthens employability while promoting research-driven innovation.
Hands-On Chip Design: Learning by Doing
A key strength of the C2S Programme is its practical, hands-on approach.
What Students Actually Do
- Design ASICs, SoCs, and IP cores
- Use industry-grade EDA tools
- Participate in real fabrication & testing cycles
- Work on R&D projects with industry mentors
This bridges the long-standing gap between classroom education and industry needs.
Role of ChipIN Centre Under C2S Programme
The ChipIN Centre at C-DAC Bengaluru is the national backbone of India’s academic chip design ecosystem.
What Is ChipIN Centre?
- One of India’s largest shared semiconductor design facilities
- Serves 300+ institutions across the country
- Provides end-to-end support from design to fabrication
How Chip Fabrication Works Under C2S
Step-by-Step Process
- Students submit chip designs via their institutions
- ChipIN Centre verifies and improves designs
- Designs are aggregated every three months
- Shared wafer is sent to SCL Mohali
- Chips are fabricated using 180 nm technology
- Packaged chips are delivered back to students
This gives students rare exposure to real silicon validation.
World-Class Tools & Infrastructure Access
Students under C2S gain access to global-standard semiconductor tools and facilities.
EDA Tools Available
- Synopsys, Cadence, Siemens EDA, IBM, Ansys, Keysight, Silvaco, AMD, Renesas
Foundry & Fabrication Support
- Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali
- IMEC
- MUSE Semiconductors
Computing & Lab Infrastructure
- SMART Labs (NIELIT Calicut – Pan India)
- PARAM Utkarsh Supercomputer
- FPGA boards for prototyping & validation
Measurable Outcomes of Chips to Start-up Programme
The programme has already delivered strong and verifiable results.
Key Achievements
- 1 lakh+ users from 400 organisations
- 175+ lakh hours of EDA tool usage
- 6 shared wafer runs completed
- 122 chip designs submitted
- 56 chips fabricated & delivered
- 265+ industry-led training sessions
- 75+ patents filed
- 500+ IP cores, ASICs & SoCs under development
These designs are being used in defence, telecom, automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial sectors.
Institutional Framework Supporting C2S
Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY)
- Policy direction & funding
- Programme oversight
- Industry coordination
- Supports Indian companies moving up the value chain
Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
- Operates ChipIN Centre
- Provides EDA tools, HPC, IP libraries
- Manages design verification & fabrication coordination
Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali
- Fabricates student-designed chips
- Provides packaging & post-fabrication support
- Enables real-world testing & evaluation
How C2S Strengthens India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem
- Ensures equitable access to national infrastructure
- Promotes academia–industry collaboration
- Builds a steady pipeline of industry-ready designers
- Encourages startup formation & IP creation
This makes India a credible and reliable participant in the global semiconductor ecosystem.
Conclusion: India’s Road to Semiconductor Leadership
Semiconductors are now a strategic pillar of national security, economic growth, and technological leadership.
Through the Chips to Start-up Programme, India is empowering its students, researchers, and startups with:
- Real chip design experience
- National fabrication access
- Industry mentoring
- Global-standard tools
This initiative marks a decisive step towards self-reliance, innovation, and global competitiveness-laying the foundation for India to become a leading semiconductor design hub in the coming decade.
IndiaSemiconductorProgramme,Chips to Start-up C2S,MeitY Chip Design Initiative
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