Powering Next-Generation Technology

By R Anil Kumar

India is actively promoting RISC-V through initiatives like the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Program, which aims to boost the country’s semiconductor ecosystem and promote indigenous microprocessor development. Key aspects include the DIR-V Grand Challenge to encourage innovation and the development of Indian RISC-V processors like the indigenous SHAKTI and VEGA series. These efforts are fostering a local RISC-V ecosystem through symposia, workshops, and collaborations between government bodies, academia, and industry.

India has steadily advanced its indigenous semiconductor capabilities over the past decade, developing home-grown processor architectures, nurturing design talent, and strengthening research infrastructure. These efforts have built a strong foundation for the country’s emergence as a key player in the global chip design ecosystem.

Building on this progress, India is now taking a major step forward with the development of a 7 nanometre processor, marking its entry into advanced node semiconductor design.

Announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on 18 October 2025, the initiative signifies a defining moment in India’s semiconductor journey and reaffirms the nation’s commitment to self-reliant, next-generation technology innovation.

The Implementation framework

The 7 nm processor is being developed by the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT Madras), a key institution in India’s processor design ecosystem through its SHAKTI initiative.

Started in 2013, SHAKTI is based on open-source instruction set architecture, allowing anyone to adopt and use it freely without restrictions.

India is presently adopting Reduced Instruction Set Computer(RISC-V) architecture, an open-source architecture, and a family of microprocessors is being developed based on different types of devices. As part of the SHAKTI project, a medium-range open-source processor has been developed so that any start-up can take up and carry the work forward.

The project functions under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), which leads national efforts in semiconductor R&D, chip design, and innovation infrastructure.

The initiative aligns with the India Semiconductor Mission, a dedicated programme to establish end-to-end semiconductor and display manufacturing capabilities and strengthen the national electronics value chain.

The framework fosters collaboration among academia, industry, and startups to enhance R&D infrastructure and expand talent capacity.

India’s leap to 7nm: Why it matters

Designed for high performance and energy efficiency, the 7 nm processor targets server applications across financial services, communications, defence, and strategic sectors.

*Represents a major leap in semiconductor design, with higher transistor density and enhanced computing efficiency.

*Strengthens India’s readiness for future fabrication (fab) integration, aligning with national efforts to establish domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities under the India Semiconductor Mission.

*Forms the backbone for emerging technologies such as 5G, AI, and supercomputing — key focus areas under the Digital India initiative.

*Reinforces India’s strategic goal of technological self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, reducing dependence on imported chips for critical applications.

India in Global Semiconductor Landscape

Under the ₹76,000 crore India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), 10 semiconductor projects with investments exceeding ₹1.6 lakh crore have been approved across six states.

• More than 288 academic institutions are supported under MeitY’s Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme.

The indigenous 7 nm processor design initiative marks India’s entry into advanced node R&D, placing it among the emerging nations advancing research and design at cutting-edge technology nodes such as those pioneered by the United States, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Together, these initiatives strengthen India’s position as a trusted partner in global semiconductor value chains and advance its vision of building an end-to-end semiconductor ecosystem.

The future roadmap

*Continued progress toward sub-7 nm nodes through the Semicon India Programme.

*Establishing advanced chip design, testing, and packaging facilities within India.

*Semiconductor initiatives under MeitY and ISM are expected to attract very large investments and create thousands of high-skill jobs.

*24 chip design projects have been sanctioned and 87 companies now use advanced design tools.

The initiative aims to build chips in India for the world.

The indigenous 7 nm processor initiative represents more than a technological feat — it is a statement of intent. By bridging innovation, academia, and industry, India is laying the foundation for a self-reliant, globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem. Through sustained R&D and strategic investment, the nation is set to emerge as a vital hub in the global semiconductor value chain.

Key initiatives and developments

• Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Program:

An initiative led by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to build a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem based on the RISC-V architecture.

• DIR-V Grand Challenge:

A program that invites students and researchers to develop frugal tech solutions using India’s own RISC-V processors, such as the SHAKTI and VEGA series.

• Indian RISC-V Processors:
  • SHAKTI: A processor development program based on the RISC-V ISA, developed at IIT Madras. It includes the 32-bit Yamuna and 64-bit Ganga variants made available for the DIR-V challenge, says Shakti Processor.
  • VEGA: Another indigenous processor series being promoted through the DIR-V program.
  • Vikram 3201: India’s first indigenous 32-bit RISC-V processor designed for space applications, capable of withstanding harsh environments.
• Ecosystem building:
• • Symposia and workshops: Events like the Digital India RISC-V Symposium and workshops co-located with conferences are bringing together experts, policymakers, and industry players to discuss and showcase RISC-V advancements.
  • Public-private partnerships: Collaborations with organizations like C-DAC and private companies are crucial for the program’s success.
  • Startup ecosystem: Indian RISC-V startups are developing innovative solutions, such as tools to significantly reduce chip design time.