IISc-Led Semiconductor Training Initiative Expands Tribal Youth Participation
A semiconductor training initiative led by Indian Institute of Science has recorded major growth in participation from tribal youth across India during the second phase of its 2026 implementation.
The Semiconductor Training Program for Tribal Students operates in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and receives support from MY Bharat under the Department of Youth Affairs. The programme aims to provide tribal students and faculty members with advanced exposure to semiconductor fabrication, nanoengineering and emerging technologies.
Programme Expands National Outreach
The initiative is coordinated through the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at IISc Bengaluru. It combines online self-paced learning modules, lectures from IISc faculty experts and a 10-day residential training programme hosted at the Bengaluru campus.
Participants receive free travel, accommodation and food support during the residential training period. As a result, the programme has attracted growing interest from students across the country.
Officials said outreach and mobilisation efforts by MY Bharat field staff, district youth officers, state directors and volunteer networks significantly boosted participation during the ongoing phase.
Applications submitted by MY Bharat youth increased from 992 in the previous phase to 5,654 in the current phase. This represents a growth of 518 percent.
Moreover, participation expanded from 32 states to 34 states, while district-level representation increased from 411 districts to 648 districts nationwide.
Women Participation In STEM Records Sharp Rise
The initiative also recorded a substantial increase in participation by women in STEM-related programmes. Female applications rose from 268 during the previous phase to 1,741 in the current phase.
The increase represents growth of more than 549 percent and reflects rising interest among tribal women in technology and semiconductor-related fields.
The outreach campaign included virtual orientation sessions, awareness drives among tribal student communities and coordination with technical universities and educational institutions.
In addition, Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University partnered in expanding awareness efforts among engineering, polytechnic and pharmacy institutions to improve participation among eligible tribal students and faculty members.
Initiative Supports India’s Semiconductor Workforce Goals
Officials associated with the programme said the initiative is expected to strengthen technical skills, research orientation and industry readiness among tribal youth.
The programme also supports India’s wider efforts to expand its semiconductor ecosystem and develop a future-ready technology workforce.
Furthermore, officials described the initiative as a collaborative effort involving IISc Bengaluru, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, MY Bharat and educational institutions to ensure inclusive participation in advanced scientific and technological sectors.
With inputs from Reuters
