Maruti Suzuki India has inaugurated a Smart Factory Lab at the Government Polytechnic College in Lucknow as part of its industry-academia and skill development initiatives. The facility has been established under the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme and is aimed at providing hands-on exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies for diploma students.
According to the company, around 400 students at the Lucknow-based institution are expected to undergo training at the lab during the inaugural year. The facility is equipped with systems related to automation, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), pneumatics, motion control and energy measurement, with the setup intended to simulate real-world manufacturing environments.
Maruti Suzuki stated that the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between academic curriculum and shop-floor requirements in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. The company added that students will receive guidance from Maruti Suzuki experts to strengthen practical learning and technical proficiency in smart manufacturing systems.
Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India, said the Smart Factory Labs are aligned with the Government of India’s Skill India mission and are intended to address skill gaps in manufacturing-oriented trades. He also noted that the company has established four Japan India Institute for Manufacturing (JIM) centres in collaboration with the governments of India and Japan.
Alongside the inauguration, the company awarded merit-based scholarships to five students from Government Polytechnic College, Lucknow.
Maruti Suzuki currently supports 31 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across 10 states and Union Territories under its CSR initiatives. The company also operates Advanced Manufacturing Labs in 18 ITIs and said around 15,000 students were trained at Maruti Suzuki-supported ITIs during FY2025-26.