IISc to Empower Tribal Students as Future Semiconductor Leaders

 Bridging the Gap: Empowering Tribal Students in Semiconductor Technology

The semiconductor industry, essential for powering modern technologies like smartphones and satellites, remains largely inaccessible to marginalized communities in India. Despite a strong engineering talent pool, representation from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in semiconductor fields is minimal, with reserved seats often going unfilled.

To address this gap, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have launched a fully sponsored semiconductor training programme for tribal students from rural areas. Hosted at IISc’s Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), the initiative aims to equip students with industry-relevant skills and open doors to high-tech careers.

A Tiered Learning Approach

The programme is divided into three modules:

Exposure Module (2–3 weeks): Introductory overview of semiconductor tech.

Foundation Module (60 days): Deeper theoretical and practical training.

Advanced Module (90 days): In-depth lab work and applied learning.

On successful completion, students earn recognised certifications, boosting their employability and access to further opportunities.

Accessibility and Inclusivity at the Core

The initiative is designed with accessibility in mind—providing travel support, dual-language instruction (including Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and English), and immersive learning tools like VR clean-room simulations and live tool demos. These efforts have significantly improved student comprehension and engagement, with training scores rising by 30–40%.

Real Impact and Industry Integration

In its pilot phase, the programme trained 502 students, resulting in:

5% securing 3-month research internships at CeNSE.

2% advancing to one-year senior internships.

20 job offers, including a placement at BHEL.

Eligibility is open to students enrolled in undergraduate engineering, MSc, or diploma programmes. The programme is certified by the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India, adding industry value to the training.

Looking Ahead: Expansion and Innovation

Building on its success, IISc plans to introduce new modules in cutting-edge fields like:

MEMS

Optical Lithography

Quantum-device Fabrication

Formal apprenticeships under the Indian Semiconductor Mission (ISM) are also in the pipeline, ensuring smooth transitions into real-world fabs. Additionally, a robust alumni-tracking system is being developed to measure long-term outcomes such as internship conversions, lab performance, and career progress.

Conclusion

This initiative is more than a training programme—it’s a transformative step toward inclusive growth in India’s tech ecosystem. By combining hands-on learning, bilingual support, and industry alignment, it provides tribal students a meaningful entry into the semiconductor sector. As India scales up its semiconductor ambitions, such programmes ensure the benefits of technological advancement are shared by all.