India’s plan to become self-reliant in semiconductor technology requires more than manufacturing units and financial incentives. It also demands a strong base of skilled designers and innovators. To meet this need, the Government of India launched the Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme, a national initiative focused on building semiconductor design talent across academic institutions and startups.
Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme: Building India’s Chip Design Talent
The Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology aimed at strengthening India’s semiconductor design ecosystem. Launched in 2022 with an approved outlay of ₹250 crore for five years, the programme focuses on training students, encouraging research, and supporting startups in chip design and related technologies.
Large-Scale Participation Across India
Since its launch, the programme has attracted participation from institutions and learners across the country. More than one lakh individuals have enrolled in various training programmes, and around 67,000 have already completed their courses.
Nearly 400 organisations are involved in implementation, including over 300 academic institutions and around 95 startups supported under the Design Linked Incentive scheme. This wide participation reflects growing interest in semiconductor design as a long-term career and innovation opportunity.
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Hands-On Training and Industry Exposure
A key strength of the C2S Programme is its emphasis on practical learning. Students are provided access to advanced electronic design automation tools and industry-supported training modules.
The ChipIN Centre at C-DAC Bengaluru serves as the national hub for shared design infrastructure. It has conducted multiple shared wafer runs and organised more than 265 industry-linked training sessions to help students gain real-world experience.
Fabrication support is provided by the Semi-Conductor Laboratory in Mohali. Under the programme, dozens of student-designed chips have been fabricated, packaged, and delivered, giving learners a rare opportunity to see their designs converted into physical silicon chips.
Boost to Research and Intellectual Property
The programme has also contributed to innovation and research output. Participating institutions and startups have filed more than 75 patents and are developing hundreds of IP cores, ASICs, and system-on-chip designs.
These outputs are relevant to sectors such as electronics, communications, and embedded systems, strengthening India’s domestic technology capabilities.
Structured Skill Development Targets
The C2S Programme follows a long-term approach to capacity building. It aims to train doctoral scholars, postgraduate students, and undergraduate learners through specialised semiconductor-focused curricula. This structured talent development is expected to support India’s semiconductor ecosystem for years to come.
Why the Programme Is Important
Semiconductor design is a strategic capability in today’s digital economy. Through the Chips to Start-up Programme, India is bridging the gap between academic education and industry requirements, enabling innovation, and creating opportunities for startups and researchers.
Conclusion
The Chips to Start-up Programme represents a critical step in India’s journey towards technological self-reliance. By investing in human capital, research, and hands-on learning, the programme is laying a strong foundation for the country’s future in semiconductor design and innovation.
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