C2S Programme: Building India's 85,000 Semiconductor Workforce for UPSC
Q. With reference to the 'Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme', consider the following statements:
1. It is a capacity-building initiative launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
2. The programme targets the development of 85,000 industry-ready professionals over five years.
3. The ChipIN Centre at C-DAC Bengaluru provides shared semiconductor design infrastructure under this programme.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Context
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem through the Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme. As global demand for semiconductors is projected to reach USD 1 trillion by 2030, India is positioning itself as a pivotal contributor by addressing the global talent shortfall and fostering indigenous chip design.
What is the Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme?
Launched in 2022, the C2S Programme is an umbrella capacity-building initiative aimed at transforming India’s semiconductor design landscape. It democratizes access to advanced design capabilities for students, researchers, and entrepreneurs across the country.
Key Facts:
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
- Financial Outlay: Total outlay of ₹250 crore over five years.
- Participation: Includes 305 academic institutions and 95 startups (under the DLI Scheme).
- Target: Development of 85,000 industry-ready professionals across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels.
Programme Objectives and Targets
The C2S programme adopts a comprehensive approach, providing hands-on experience in chip design, fabrication, and testing. It aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical semiconductor design workflows.
Specific Workforce Targets:
- 200 PhD scholars in advanced chip design research.
- 7,000 M. Tech graduates specializing in VLSI or Embedded Systems.
- 8,800 M. Tech graduates with focused VLSI exposure.
- 69,000 B. Tech students trained through VLSI-oriented coursework.
Additional Goals:
- Incubation of 25 start-ups.
- Enabling 10 technology transfers.
- Generating 50 patents and supporting 2,000 research publications.
- Providing access to SMART lab facilities.
Institutional Framework
A coordinated framework ensures the successful implementation of the C2S programme:
| Institution | Role in C2S Programme |
|---|---|
| MeitY | Provides policy direction, funding, and programme oversight. |
| C-DAC (ChipIN Centre) | Located in Bengaluru, it serves as the national hub, providing shared access to EDA tools, IP libraries, and technical mentoring. |
| SCL, Mohali | Facilitates fabrication of student-designed chips using 180 nm technology through shared wafer runs. |
| NIELIT | Operates the SMART Lab (NIELIT Calicut) and offers certification courses. |
Key Outcomes and Achievements
The programme has already delivered measurable results in strengthening India's domestic capabilities:
- Training: Over 1 lakh individuals have enrolled, with approximately 67,000 trained so far.
- Tool Usage: Shared national EDA infrastructure has seen more than 175 lakh hours of usage.
- Fabrication: 6 shared wafer runs resulted in 122 chip design submissions, with 56 student-designed chips successfully fabricated and delivered.
- Innovation: Participating institutions have filed 75+ patents and are developing 500+ IP cores, ASICs, and SoC designs.
- Infrastructure: Access to the PARAM Utkarsh supercomputer and FPGA boards for design validation.
Significance
The C2S programme is a strategic pillar for India's technological self-reliance:
- Addressing Talent Gap: Helps meet the global requirement for over 1 million skilled professionals by 2032.
- Indigenous Innovation: Catalyses the development of IPs, ASICs, and SoCs for strategic sectors like defence, telecom, and automotive.
- Democratization: Empowers institutions irrespective of location to participate in high-end semiconductor research.
- Economic Growth: Positions India as a credible and competitive hub in the global semiconductor value chain.
🎯 Analysis & Insights
Prelims mastery
Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only.
Reasoning: Statement 1 is incorrect because the C2S Programme is an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), not the Ministry of Science and Technology. Statements 2 and 3 are correct as per the programme guidelines and institutional framework.
Mains perspective
"India's semiconductor ambitions rely heavily on talent development and infrastructure access." Discuss the significance of the Chips to Start-up (C2S) programme in building a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem in India. (150 words)