Manipur CM urges semiconductor trainees at IIT Madras to develop state
Synopsis
Manipur's government is sending 25 graduates from minority, OBC, and SC communities for 15-day residential semiconductor training at IIT Madras — fully funded by the state. With placement assistance and entry-level salaries of ₹20,000–₹25,000 a month on offer, the programme is a small but concrete attempt to channel India's semiconductor ambitions into one of its most conflict-affected states.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh met selected students on 24 September 2026 and urged them to bring back skills to develop the state.
25 graduates (22 boys, 3 girls) were selected from 75 applicants from Minority, OBC, and SC communities.
Students will undergo 15-day residential training in Semiconductor Surface Mount Technology (SMT) at IIT Madras .
The Manipur government is covering all costs of training, accommodation, and travel under the MOBEDS initiative.
Post-training, IIT Madras will provide placement assistance; entry-level salaries expected at ₹20,000–₹25,000 per month .
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday, 24 September 2026, urged students from the state who are pursuing technical training outside Manipur to return with their acquired skills and actively contribute to the state's development. The appeal came during a hybrid interaction programme held at the CM's secretariat in Imphal with students selected for specialised semiconductor training at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.
Who Was Selected and What They Will Learn
A total of 25 graduates — 22 boys and 3 girls — were chosen from 75 applicants through a competitive selection process. The students, drawn from Minority, Other Backward Class (OBC), and Scheduled Caste (SC) communities, will undergo a 15-day residential training programme in Semiconductor Surface Mount Technology (SMT) at IIT Madras. Notably, the programme is open to graduates from any discipline, not just those with engineering backgrounds.
The initiative is being driven by the Manipur Minorities and Economic Development Society (MOBEDS). The Manipur government is bearing the full cost of training, accommodation, and travel, with support from IIT Madras.
What the Chief Minister Said
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh extended his best wishes to the selected students and encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity. He acknowledged that semiconductor technology is a specialised and technically demanding field, but emphasised that it presents significant employment opportunities for young people. He expressed confidence that the trainees would bring back valuable skills and experience to support Manipur's development.
The Programme: Industry-Oriented and Placement-Linked
Commissioner cum Secretary of Minority Affairs, OBC and SC Armstrong Pame briefed participants on the scope of the SMT programme, which focuses on the assembly and manufacturing processes for electronic components in the semiconductor and electronics industries. IIT Madras has been running the programme as a skill-development initiative, leveraging its specialised facilities for practical, industry-oriented training.
Upon successful completion, IIT Madras will provide job placement assistance through its linked industries. Entry-level salaries for successful trainees are expected to range between ₹20,000 and ₹25,000 per month, according to officials.
Senior Officials and IIT Madras Faculty Present
The interaction was attended virtually by Padma Shri Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, along with Prof. R. Sarathi and other faculty members and officials. The hybrid format allowed officials and faculty from IIT Madras to participate alongside students and state government representatives in Imphal.
This comes amid India's broader push to build a domestic semiconductor workforce, with programmes such as this representing a grassroots effort to bring that ambition to underrepresented communities in states like Manipur. How effectively the trained graduates are absorbed into industry will be a key measure of the programme's success.
Point of View
15 days — but its design is worth noting: it targets communities that are typically last to access high-skill technical training, and it links state funding directly to placement outcomes via IIT Madras's industry network. Manipur's persistent instability has long deterred private-sector investment in skill infrastructure, making government-backed bridge programmes like this more consequential than their size suggests. The real test will be whether returning trainees find a local ecosystem to plug into, or whether the state inadvertently funds a talent pipeline that flows straight out of Manipur to industry hubs elsewhere in India.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the semiconductor training programme for Manipur students at IIT Madras?
It is a 15-day residential skill-development programme in Semiconductor Surface Mount Technology (SMT) conducted at IIT Madras, covering assembly and manufacturing processes in the semiconductor and electronics industries. The programme is funded by the Manipur government through MOBEDS and is open to graduates from any discipline.
Who was selected for the IIT Madras semiconductor training from Manipur?
25 graduates — 22 boys and 3 girls — from Minority, OBC, and SC communities in Manipur were selected from 75 applicants through a formal selection process. Students from any graduate discipline were eligible to apply.
What happens after the training is completed?
IIT Madras will provide job placement assistance to successful trainees through its linked industries. Entry-level salaries for placed candidates are expected to range between ₹20,000 and ₹25,000 per month, according to officials.
Who is bearing the cost of the programme?
The Manipur government is bearing the full cost of training, accommodation, and travel for the selected students, with additional support from IIT Madras.
What is MOBEDS and what role does it play?
MOBEDS stands for Manipur Minorities and Economic Development Society, the state body that conceptualised and is implementing this skill-training initiative. It coordinated the selection process and is facilitating the students' participation in the IIT Madras programme.
