AICTE's New Curriculum Set To Drive India's Semiconductor Ambitions

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has announced the launch of a new curriculum designed for BTech Electronics (VLSI Design and Technology) and Diploma in IC Manufacturing.

The courses will be uploaded on AICTE's portal and any AICTE affiliated colleges, universities, or technical institutions may opt to offer these courses.

The move is aimed at providing Indian students with a variety of employment roles that feature outstanding salary incentives in both global and Indian companies, according to the AICTE.

The VLSI sector is a high-paying industry that is immune to automation and will create an environment for a semiconductor ecosystem for setting and scaling up.

The curriculum for BTech Electronics (VLSI Design and Technology) includes modules such as Introduction to IC Design and Technology, Digital systems labs, Semiconductor Device Fundamentals, Analog Electronics, Introduction to CMOS processing, Introduction to VLSI Design, Analog IC Design, Static Timing Analysis, Fabrication and characterization lab, and Physics of Electrical engineering materials.

Similarly, the curriculum for Diploma in IC Manufacturing includes modules such as Introduction to VLSI Fabrication, Semiconductor Fab familiarization, Electronic Devices and circuits, Cleanroom technologies, Semiconductor Technology Equipment Maintenance, Allied activities for foundry like safety protocol for foundry, vacuum technology, industrial automation, semiconductor packaging and testing, electronics system assembly or product design, and renewable energy technologies.

AICTE's new courses on semiconductor technology will benefit India's semiconductor program by providing the country with a skilled workforce that is trained in the latest technologies and techniques. This will help in establishing a robust semiconductor ecosystem in the country and reduce the dependence on imports.

Moreover, these courses will also promote research and development in the semiconductor field and encourage innovation in the country. This, in turn, will create opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs in the semiconductor industry and boost the overall growth of the Indian economy.

The Electronics Ministry in a statement said that VLSI sector is a high-paying industry and immune to automation and it will create an environment for Semiconductor ecosystem for setting and scaling up.

This AICTE's move is in line with Modi government's Semicon India programme aimed at developing the semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India.

The programme provides for financial support to companies investing in semiconductors, display manufacturing, and design ecosystem.

The Chips to Startup (C2S) program aims to train 85,000 engineers qualified in ESDM (Electronic System Design and Manufacturing) disciplines over five years. Necessary tie-ups with 82 technical education institutes have already been made.

The Indian government has recognized the critical role that semiconductors play in the world and aims to establish India as one of the key partners in the global semiconductor supply chains.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier said that India has an exceptional semiconductor design talent pool, making up to 20 percent of the world's semiconductor design engineers.

Almost all of the top 25 semiconductor design companies have their design or R&D centres in India.

In addition to the launch of the new curriculum, India's Semicon India programme, with a total outlay of INR 76,000 crore, aims at the development of the semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India.

The programme provides for financial support to companies investing in semiconductors, display manufacturing, and design ecosystem.

The program is expected to contribute significantly to India's goal of becoming a leading global hub for semiconductor design and manufacturing.

In line with Semicon India programme, the Chips to Startup (C2S) programme aims to train 85,000 engineers (Bachelors, Masters and Research level combined) qualified in ESDM disciplines over a period of 5 years.

Further, IIT Hyderabad had last year launched BTech (Electronics Engineering) specialization in IC Design and Technology.