10 lakh talent shortfall in global chip sector opens opportunity for India: Minister
New Delhi, June 19
Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said the global semiconductor industry is facing a talent shortage of around 10 lakh professionals, presenting a major opportunity for India to emerge as a key supplier of skilled manpower for the sector.
Speaking at the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) centre in Patna, the minister said the global semiconductor industry is currently valued at around $800 billion and is expected to cross the $1 trillion mark within a year.
"By 2032, around 10 lakh jobs are expected to emerge in the semiconductor sector globally. At the same time, the industry is facing a shortage of nearly 10 lakh skilled professionals," Vaishnaw said.
He further stated that India must capitalise on this opportunity through a two-pronged strategy focused on semiconductor design and manufacturing.
According to the minister, the government is working towards establishing world-class semiconductor design capabilities in the country and ensuring that Indian graduates are among the best-trained talent globally.
"When students graduate with semiconductor design skills, they should be considered among the top talent in the world and should immediately find opportunities in the industry," he said.
Vaishnaw said nearly 75,000 students have already received attractive opportunities through semiconductor design-related programmes and initiatives.
"Our target is to increase this number from 75,000 to 5 lakh students," he added.
In addition, the minister stated that semiconductor manufacturing activities have already commenced in India and training programmes for manufacturing-related skills will be developed as production capacities scale up.
India has been actively promoting semiconductor design, fabrication and packaging under its semiconductor mission, with several projects currently under implementation across the country.
Moreover, during his visit to STPI, Vaishnaw highlighted the government's efforts to expand India's startup ecosystem beyond major metropolitan centres.
He said STPI centres are being strengthened across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to support innovation and entrepreneurship.
Additionally, the minister interacted with young entrepreneurs, heard their experiences and discussed ways to further enhance government support for startups and technology-led enterprises.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great to see focus on Tier-2/3 cities! Patna getting a STPI centre is a big deal. But 10 lakh shortage globally means we need to act fast. The 5 lakh target is ambitious — hope the quality doesn't suffer. Also, what about R&D funding for chip design startups?
As someone working in the US chip industry, I can confirm the talent gap is real. India has the raw numbers but what matters is practical skills. The minister's focus on design is correct — that's where the value lies. But manufacturing needs huge capital too.
Good news but I'm cautiously optimistic. We've heard similar promises about other sectors before. The real test will be in implementation — will we have enough faculty, infrastructure, and industry connections? Also, what about the brain drain? How do we retain talent in India?
This is exactly the kind of strategic thinking needed. With China's chip industry facing restrictions, India can position itself as the alternative hub. But it's not just about training — we need to speed up setting up fabs and design houses. The $1 trillion market won't wait.
As a fresh engineering grad, this gives me hope! We always hear about AI/software jobs, but hardware is equally important. I just wish our college curriculum was updated — still learning outdated VLSI concepts. Hope the government pushes for curriculum overhaul too 🙏
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