India’s semiconductor sector to face crunch of 3 lakh professionals by 2027

India is anticipated to face shortage of 250,000-300,000 professionals in semiconductor sector by 2027, as per a study by TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship. This scarcity will be felt across diverse segments such as research and development (R&D), design, manufacturing, and advanced packaging.

"De-risking initiatives by the world’s leading electronic manufacturers, coupled with targeted government initiatives & India’s talent pool, have led India to occupy a key position in the global semiconductor manufacturing space," TeamLease states.

Estimations indicate that the Indian semiconductor industry is set to hit $100 billion by 2030.

Lately, there has been a partnership between companies and the government to implement the necessary curriculum across various colleges. The government announced last year that over 300 renowned colleges in India would begin offering specialised courses focusing on semiconductors.

This is a crucial issue as India strives to secure a significant slice of the global semiconductor manufacturing market. The government has given the green light to four projects under the ₹76,000 crore semiconductor incentive program. These projects encompass Micron's ATMP endeavour, Tata's chip production and assembly initiative, and CG Power's chip assembly undertaking. Further projects are awaiting approval.

“The expansion is poised to generate approximately 1 million global jobs by 2025–2026, aligning with India's broader economic and industrial growth objectives,” TeamLease states.

Degree apprenticeships emerge as a solution, blending theoretical education with practical training to equip industries with a skilled workforce.

Ramesh Alluri Reddy, the CEO of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, says, "AI-powered chip design and smart manufacturing are creating a demand for professionals skilled in AI, IoT, and 5G. Building an ecosystem for higher value creation activities and cultivating a competent workforce through degree apprenticeships and training programs is crucial to establish India as a significant player."

The Electronics Sector Skill Council (ESSC) offers over 35 apprenticeship courses under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) to address skill shortages, with initiatives like NAPS-2 further promoting apprenticeship training nationwide.

The surge in apprenticeships, from 7,517 in FY20 to 91,948 in FY24, marks a 12.2-fold increase, says Sumit Kumar, chief business officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship.

In March, during the groundbreaking ceremony for ₹1.25 lakh-crore semiconductor projects in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed that India is poised to emerge as a significant semiconductor manufacturing centre. He highlighted that the establishment of three facilities will not only spur economic growth but also promote innovation in the country.

"The 21st century is technology-driven. We cannot imagine a world without electronic chips. Made in India and designed in India chip will help India achieve new milestones towards Atmanirbharta," PM Modi said.