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24 SMT007 MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2025 past two years, India has seen a 65% rise in IPC certifications, with more than 4,000 professionals trained and certified across various specializations, including PCB assembly, design, and wire harnessing. Training centres across the country report that CIT (Certified IPC Trainer and CIS (Certified IPC Specialist) programs are consistently oversubscribed, and out- reach efforts by the Association in India have ex- panded beyond metro cities into key manufacturing hubs like Pune, Noida, Coimbatore, and Vadodara. Industry-wide Adoption: Tier 1 and Tier 2 Engagement While Tier 1 companies such as Dixon Technolo- gies, SFO Technologies, and VVDN have long embedded IPC standards into their operations, the shift in recent years has seen increased participation from Tier 2 and MSME manufacturers. Tier 2 companies in the cities of Baddi, Hosur, Aurangabad, and Mysuru are investing in upskilling their workforce through IPC certification programs. Many of these manufacturers are also revising hiring policies to prioritize IPC-certified per- sonnel, establish- ing certification as both a quality signal and a professional credential. Firms that once relied on proprietary SOPs are now embracing IPC certification to improve process reliability, meet international compliance benchmarks, and increase customer confidence. Industry-specific Certifications on the Rise India's electronics landscape is becoming increasingly diverse, with growth in automotive electronics, defence, aerospace, EVs, and medical devices. This shift has created high demand for industry-specific IPC certifications: • IPC/WHMA-A-620 has become essential in the automotive and EV sectors • IPC-A-600 and IPC-6012 are seeing wide- spread uptake in aerospace and defence manufacturing • IPC-A-610 continues to be the most sought- after certification in consumer electronics and EMS operations These certifications enable technical excellence and build global trust in "Made in India" products. The Road Ahead With India aiming for $300 billion in electronics manufacturing by 2026, the Global Electronics Association's role is more critical than ever. "India is moving fast toward becoming a global hub for elec- tronics manufacturing," says Gaurab Majumdar, vice president, Global Electronics Association—India and Southeast Asia. "IPC standards and certifications are the bridge between aspiration and execution. Our new identity represents a stronger, more inclu- sive vision—one where India is not just participating in global supply chains but shaping them." SMT007 Gaurab Majumdar is VP of the Global Electronics Association—India, Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Africa. Gaurab Majumdar