New Delhi: A semiconductor training programme for tribal students led by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has recorded a sharp increase in participation from tribal youth across the country during its 2026 Phase-II implementation, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.

The initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and supported by MY Bharat under the Department of Youth Affairs, is coordinated through the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at IISc Bengaluru.

The programme aims to provide tribal students and faculty members exposure to semiconductor fabrication, nanoengineering processes and emerging technologies through online learning modules, lectures by IISc faculty and a 10-day residential training programme at the institute.

According to the statement, applications from MY Bharat youth volunteers rose from 992 in the previous phase to 5,654 in the current phase, registering a growth of 518 per cent.

Participation expanded from 32 states to 34 states, while district-level participation increased from 411 districts to 648 districts nationwide.

The initiative also witnessed a sharp rise in participation by women in STEM-related programmes. Applications from women candidates increased from 268 in the previous phase to 1,741 in the current phase, reflecting a growth of over 549 per cent.

Officials said the outreach campaign included virtual orientation sessions, coordination with technical universities and awareness drives among tribal student communities.

The programme is expected to strengthen technical skills, research orientation and industry readiness among tribal youth, contributing to India's growing semiconductor ecosystem and future technology workforce, the statement added.