By 2027, the Indian semiconductor sector will face a hiring crisis of 3 lakh professionals

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

“Derisking initiatives by the world’s leading electronics manufacturers, combined with targeted government initiatives and India’s talent pool, have led India to a key position in the global semiconductor manufacturing space,” TeamLease states.

Estimates suggest that the Indian semiconductor industry will reach $100 billion by 2030.

Recently, companies and the government have entered into partnerships to implement the necessary curriculum in various universities. Last year, the government announced that over 300 reputed universities in India would start offering specialized courses in semiconductors.

This is a key issue as India seeks to secure a significant share of the global semiconductor manufacturing market. The government has given green light to four projects under the ₹ 76,000-crore semiconductor incentive scheme. These projects include Micron’s ATMP venture, Tata’s chip manufacturing and assembly venture, and CG Power’s chip assembly venture. Further projects are waiting for approval.

“The expansion is expected to generate approximately 1 million jobs globally by 2025-26, which is in line with India’s broader economic and industrial growth goals,” TeamLease states.

The solution is apprenticeships, which combine theoretical education with practical training to provide industries with a skilled workforce.

Ramesh Alluri Reddy, CEO, TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, says: “AI-driven chip design and smart manufacturing are creating demand for professionals skilled in AI, IoT and 5G. Building an ecosystem for higher value creation activities and developing a competent workforce through internships and training programs is crucial to establish India as a significant player.”

The Electronics Sector Skills Council (ESSC) offers over 35 apprenticeship courses under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) to address skills gaps, and initiatives such as NAPS-2 further promote apprenticeships across the country.

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

In March, during the groundbreaking ceremony for semiconductor projects worth Rs 1.25 lakh crore in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared that India would soon emerge as a significant semiconductor manufacturing hub. He emphasized that the creation of the three facilities will not only stimulate economic growth, but will also promote innovation in the country.

“The 21st century is driven by technology. We cannot imagine a world without electronic chips. The Indian-made and India-designed chip will help India achieve new milestones on its path to Atmanirbharta,” Prime Minister Modi said.