NEW DELHI – The government has approved the establishment of the NaMo Semiconductor Laboratory at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar, aimed at developing a skilled workforce for chip manufacturing and packaging sector, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said on Sunday.
The project, estimated to cost ₹4.95 crore, will be funded under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme. It is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem under the Make in India and Design in India programmes.
Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the NaMo Semiconductor Lab would help develop India’s talent base in semiconductor design, packaging and fabrication.
Lab to build indigenous chip talent pool
The facility is expected to equip students and researchers with hands-on training using industry-grade tools and technologies, preparing them for roles in upcoming chip fabrication and packaging units across the country.
According to the Ministry, India is home to nearly 20% of the global chip design workforce, with students from 295 universities already using advanced Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools supplied through industry partnerships.
To date, 28 student-designed chips from 20 Indian institutes have been successfully fabricated at the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali.
IIT Bhubaneswar chosen for strategic reasons
The government said it selected IIT Bhubaneswar because Odisha has recently received approval for two major semiconductor projects under the India Semiconductor Mission — one for an integrated Silicon Carbide (SiC)-based compound semiconductor facility and another for an advanced 3D glass packaging plant.
IIT Bhubaneswar already houses the Silicon Carbide Research and Innovation Centre (SiCRIC), which supports R&D in power electronics and next-generation materials.
The new NaMo Semiconductor Lab will build on this foundation and add to the institute’s existing cleanroom and testing infrastructure.
The laboratory will also collaborate with semiconductor firms and research institutions to develop a regional hub for chip design, assembly and testing, aligning with India’s push to localise semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
Focus on skilling and ‘Design in India’
The Ministry said the new lab would “act as a catalyst” for India’s expanding semiconductor ecosystem, helping the country progress from chip design to full-scale manufacturing and packaging.
It aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by giving students exposure to practical semiconductor processes. The initiative is also expected to enhance IIT Bhubaneswar’s role as a key centre for semiconductor education and applied research.
The project includes ₹4.6 crore allocated for equipment and ₹35 lakh for specialised software licences needed for chip design, fabrication and testing.
NaMo Semiconductor Lab part of broader chip ecosystem
The NaMo Semiconductor Lab follows several policy initiatives under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) launched in 2021, which aims to attract global and domestic investments in chip manufacturing and display fabrication.
India has approved multiple semiconductor and compound materials projects across Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Odisha as part of this mission. The new laboratory is seen as an important component in preparing the human capital necessary to support these facilities.
Officials said the project underscores the government’s vision of making India a global hub for semiconductor research, design and production. It also reflects an emphasis on nurturing talent domestically rather than relying solely on imported expertise.
The Ministry did not specify when construction of the new laboratory will begin but said IIT Bhubaneswar will oversee implementation and coordinate with industry partners to operationalise the facility.
