NQAT entrance examination
₹499
Mandatory screening for all applicants. Evaluates logical reasoning, mathematical aptitude, engineering fundamentals, and programming ability.
Successful candidates proceed to a technical interview.
Semiconductor Research & Engineering · India
NIARB Labs — India's Semiconductor & Chip Design Research Program
NIARB Labs (Neural Intelligence Architecture Research Builders) trains engineers in VLSI, RTL, FPGA, ASIC, and AI accelerator architecture from first principles. Apply for the NQAT entrance exam at niarb.in to join India's semiconductor engineering program.
Program & admissions
Training structure and fees
NIARB engineering program
₹9,999
Three-month intensive program. Admission by NQAT score and technical interview.
- RTL, FPGA, and ASIC design flow
- AI accelerator architecture
- Mentor supervision throughout
- Completion certificate
Curriculum
Program outline
All participants complete a shared foundations phase. After that, training divides into domain-specific specialization tracks based on aptitude, interest, and program direction.
Phase 1
Common foundations
Delivered to every participant before specialization begins.
Core foundations
Linux, Git, Python, computer architecture, digital logic
Phase 2
Domain specialization
Participants enter one or more tracks for focused, practical work in their chosen semiconductor domain.
RTL engineering
Verilog, SystemVerilog, FSM design, microarchitecture
Verification
Testbench design, debugging, waveform analysis, simulation
FPGA
Synthesis, deployment, real hardware testing
ASIC physical design
Floorplanning, placement, routing, timing closure (OpenROAD)
AI accelerator architecture
Systolic arrays, tensor engines, NoC, memory hierarchy, LLM inference
Research domains
Areas of focus
AI accelerator chips
Systolic arrays, tensor engines, on-chip memory
LLM inference hardware
Throughput-optimized architectures for large models
Memory-centric design
Hierarchy, bandwidth, and data movement
Beyond von Neumann
Novel compute paradigms and research systems
Admission process
How to apply
- 1 Register for NQAT
- 2 Sit the examination
- 3 Technical interview
- 4 Join the cohort
Eligibility
Open to ECE and CSE students, fresh graduates, FPGA practitioners, and AI hardware researchers. No prior chip design experience required — candidates must demonstrate strong analytical reasoning.
Mission
Why this program exists
AI model scale is increasing exponentially. Existing hardware architectures are reaching fundamental limits. New semiconductor design capability is a strategic necessity — NIARB Labs exists to develop engineers capable of contributing to AI accelerator design, memory-centric architectures, and non-von-Neumann computing systems.
Leadership
From the founder
MA
Compute will define the future of intelligence, and India must be a creator of that future — not merely a consumer. NIARB exists to build world-class semiconductor talent and pioneer novel AI computing architectures from India.
Support
Frequently asked questions
What is NQAT?
The NIARB Qualifying Aptitude Test is the mandatory entrance examination for the engineering program. It evaluates logical reasoning, mathematical aptitude, engineering fundamentals, and programming ability.
Is prior semiconductor knowledge required?
No. Candidates must demonstrate strong analytical reasoning, but the program covers all domain-specific content from first principles.
Why is the NQAT fee ₹499?
The fee ensures candidates are serious about admission and supports the cost of evaluation and reviewer time.
How is the program delivered?
Through structured live sessions, direct mentor access, and sustained project work — built for engineers who want rigorous training without relocating.
Does NIARB guarantee employment after the program?
No. NIARB is a research training program, not a job placement service.