Tribal Research Information, Education, Communication and Events (TRI-ECE) – Under the central sector scheme – Tribal Research Information, Education, Communication and Events (TRI-ECE) 2023-24, Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), GoI, has entrusted the project ‘Semiconductor Fabrication & Characterization Training for Students from Tribal Community’ to Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc). The objective of the project is to provide 2100 National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) certified level 6.0 & 6.5 training in semiconductor technology to tribal students over three years.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with IISc, plans to offer basic training to 1,500 tribal students and advanced training to 600 tribal students in semiconductor technology. All tribal students who possess a degree in one of the engineering subjects, are eligible to apply for the program.
As conveyed by IISc, Bengaluru, the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has established six large Nano centers (including IISc) for delivering training in Semiconductor technology. The degree programs at these nano centers have representation from the tribal community, as per the reservation policies. Alongside degree programs, the nano centers also run short-term training programs under the Indian Nanoelectronics User’s Program (INUP). However, the program with MoTA marks the first training program exclusively dedicated to tribal communities.
India Semiconductor Mission
India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) has been set up as an Independent Business Division within Digital India Corporation. It enjoys administrative and financial autonomy to formulate and drive India’s long term strategies for developing semiconductors and display manufacturing facilities and semiconductor design ecosystem. ISM works as nodal agency for the schemes approved under Semicon India Programme.
The vision of ISM is to build a vibrant semiconductor and display design and innovation ecosystem to enable India’s emergence as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is of paramount importance to organize efforts for promoting semiconductors and display industry in a more structured, focused, and comprehensive manner.
The government has approved the Semicon India programme with a total outlay of INR 76,000 crore for the development of semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country. It has further been modified in view of the aggressive incentives offered by countries already having an established semiconductor ecosystem and a limited number of companies owning advanced node technologies.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and IISc – The Collaboration!
This collaboration between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and IISc will provide comprehensive support, including ideation, funding, incubation, branding, marketing, and access to national and international markets to tribal artisans and producers, thereby enabling wider market access for their products. The tribal affairs ministry, in partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), will establish a training fab unit which will offer a course on semiconductor technology to tribal students. “2100 NSQF-certified level 6.0 and 6.5 training in semiconductor technology will be offered over three years.” This will be an advanced job-oriented programme for 200 students with the potential of high-paying placement in the industry.
Generation of high job prospects in the semiconductor industry in the coming years against the backdrop of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) augurs well. The PM-JANMAN, with a budget of around INR 24,000 crore, focuses on 11 critical interventions through nine ministries and is aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) by saturating PVTG households and habitations with basic facilities. The collaboration between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and IISc is an extension of this intervention.
FAQs on Training by IISc in Semiconductor Technology to Tribal Students
When was the project for semiconductor training announced?
The “Semiconductor Fabrication & Characterization Training for Students from Tribal Community” project was announced by the Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs in a written reply to Lok Sabha on 8 August 2024.
What is an NSQF certification?
The National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) organizes qualifications into levels based on knowledge, skills, and aptitude defined by learning outcomes. The levels range from 1 to 10, creating a competency-based skill framework. Learners can acquire these levels through formal, non-formal, or informal learning and receive certification accordingly, which holds global recognition.
What is the importance of semiconductors in our daily life?
Semiconductors play a pivotal role in modern technology and significantly impact our daily life. The properties of semiconductors allow it to be an essential building block of electronic gadgets and computing appliances, mobile phones, computers and more. Semiconductor-based devices play an important role in our daily lives.
Who can join the semiconductor training program?
Any student from tribal communities holding an engineering degree, in any subject, is eligible to apply for the program.
What is the vision behind India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)?
The vision of ISM is to build a vibrant semiconductor and display design and innovation ecosystem to enable India’s emergence as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is of paramount importance to organize efforts for promoting semiconductors and display industry in a more structured, focused, and comprehensive manner.
What is the ultimate objective behind India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)?
Generation of high job prospects in the semiconductor industry in the coming years against the backdrop of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) complements the ultimate objective well.
What is the idea behind the collaboration between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and IISc?
The partnership between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and IISc will provide comprehensive support, including ideation, funding, incubation, branding, marketing, and access to national and international markets to tribal artisans and producers, thereby enabling wider market access for their products.
Give an outline of the training programme for students from Tribal Community?
The tribal affairs ministry, in partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), will establish a training fab unit which will offer a course on semiconductor technology to tribal students. “2100 NSQF-certified level 6.0 and 6.5 training in semiconductor technology will be offered over three years.” This will be an advanced job-oriented programme for 200 students with the potential of high-paying placement in the industry.