Gujarat is taking another important step toward building a strong semiconductor ecosystem with Project SAMARTH at IIT Gandhinagar. The centre, which stands for Silicon and Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Research and Training Hub, is being developed to create the skilled workforce India will need for chip manufacturing and related technologies.
The initiative brings together the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Gujarat’s Department of Science and Technology, and IIT Gandhinagar. Reports suggest the project carries a budget of ?190 crore, with work beginning on March 2, 2026. Beyond training technicians, operators and engineers, the centre is also expected to support indigenous research, process development and niche semiconductor tools.
What makes SAMARTH especially significant is its practical focus. IIT Gandhinagar aims to prepare engineering students for real fab environments through hands-on exposure to semiconductor systems, while also training thousands of learners over the next five years. The target is to skill 10,000 people, including students, technicians and participants in short-term programmes.
For Gujarat, this adds another layer to an ecosystem already drawing strong semiconductor interest. For India, it reinforces a simple truth. Chip fabs need more than land, policy support and capital. They need a steady pipeline of trained people who can work with precision in highly demanding manufacturing environments.
