BENGALURU (Karnataka, India): An initiative to impart semiconductor training has evoked huge response from tribal youth across India, showing remarkable growth during the current phase.
The Semiconductor Training Program for Tribal Students is being imparted by the Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru (IISc) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs of the Government of India and the MY Bharat under the Department of Youth Affairs.
Phase 2 of the program has achieved a significant milestone in 2026 as it has witnessed remarkable growth in participation, according to an official press release. Applications from tribal youth increased from 992 in the previous phase to 5,654 applications in the current phase, registering a growth of 518 percent. Participation expanded from 32 States to 34 States, while district participation increased from 411 districts to 648 districts across the country.
The initiative has also recorded a substantial rise in women participation in programs related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Female participation increased from 268 applications in the previous phase to 1,741 applications in the current phase, reflecting a growth of more than 549 percent and indicating growing interest among tribal women in emerging technology sectors.
The initiative, coordinated through the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) of IISc, aims to provide tribal students and faculty members with advanced exposure to semiconductor fabrication, nano-engineering processes and emerging technologies. The program consists of an online self-paced learning module, lectures by IISc faculty experts, and a 10-day residential training program at IISc.
The current phase of the program witnessed remarkable growth in participation due to extensive awareness campaigns and mobilization efforts undertaken by MY Bharat field functionaries, state directors, District Youth Officers, and volunteer networks across the country. The outreach campaign included virtual orientation sessions, coordination with technical universities and institutions, activation of youth networks, and targeted awareness drives among tribal student communities. Technical universities helped expand the outreach efforts to engineering, polytechnic and pharmacy institutions to ensure wider participation among eligible tribal students and faculty members.
Officials associated with the initiative said that the program is expected to strengthen technical competencies, research orientation and industry readiness among tribal youth, thereby contributing to India’s expanding semiconductor ecosystem and future technology workforce.
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