New Delhi: The Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has approved the establishment of the 'NaMo Semiconductor Laboratory' at IIT Bhubaneswar, aimed at developing India's talent pool in semiconductor manufacturing and packaging.

The project, sanctioned under the MPLAD Scheme with an estimated cost of Rs 4.95 crore, is expected to enhance research, design, and industry-focused training in chip technology.

The NaMo Semiconductor Lab will serve as a hub for semiconductor research and skilling, helping youth acquire industry-ready skills that will support emerging chip manufacturing and packaging units across the country. The initiative is also set to bolster the government's 'Make in India' and 'Design in India' programmes by promoting indigenous innovation and production capabilities.

According to the Ministry, India accounts for 20 per cent of the global chip design talent, with students from 295 universities already using advanced Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools provided by the industry. So far, 28 student-designed chips from 20 institutes have been successfully developed at the SCL Mohali facility.

The selection of IIT Bhubaneswar follows Odisha's recent approval for two semiconductor projects under the India Semiconductor Mission — an integrated facility for Silicon Carbide (SiC)-based compound semiconductors and an advanced 3D glass packaging unit.

The new lab will complement the institute's existing Silicon Carbide Research and Innovation Centre (SiCRIC) and cleanroom facilities, providing a strong R&D base for India's growing semiconductor ecosystem.