Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw presented India's first indigenously built 32-bit semiconductor processor chip, named Vikram, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Semicon India 2025 in Delhi on Tuesday. The presentation marked a significant milestone in India's semiconductor self-reliance journey, with Vaishnaw also presenting test chips of four approved projects after Modi inaugurated the event alongside Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada.

Development and Technical Specifications

The Vikram chip was developed by the Semiconductor Laboratory of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and represents India's first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor. The processor is specifically designed and qualified for use in harsh launch vehicle conditions and the punishing environments found in spaceflight.

The chip can handle substantial memory and execute complex instructions needed for launching satellites and space vehicles. The Vikram-32 is capable of processing data in chunks of 32 bits at a time and can work with numbers that have decimals. It is designed to withstand extreme temperatures and environments encountered during spaceflight operations.

The processor's robust reliability and versatility signal its potential applications in defence, aerospace, automotive, and energy sectors.

Manufacturing and Validation

The fabrication and packaging of the Vikram chips were completed at the Semiconductor Hub in Punjab's Mohali, utilizing SCL's 180nm CMOS facility. The chip was first introduced in March 2025, demonstrating rapid advances in India's chip-making capabilities. The initial lot of Vikram 3201 devices underwent successful validation in space during the PSLV-C60 mission, demonstrating the processor's reliability for future space missions.

This space validation represents a crucial step in proving the chip's performance under actual operating conditions.

India Semiconductor Mission Progress

The development of the Vikram processor stems from the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) launched by the government in 2021. According to Vaishnaw, the mission has achieved significant progress in just three and a half years, transforming India from primarily a consumer to an emerging creator of advanced chips.

The government has approved 10 semiconductor manufacturing projects with a cumulative investment of more than INR 1.60 lakh crore across six states: Gujarat, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. Construction of five semiconductor units is currently underway at a rapid pace. Through the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme, 23 chip design projects have been sanctioned to support startups and innovators.

Companies like Vervesemi Microelectronics are creating advanced chips for defence, aerospace, electric vehicles, and energy systems.

Strategic Significance and Future Outlook

Semiconductor company CG-Semi is expected to roll out the first 'Made in India' chip from the Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) pilot facility in Sanand, Gujarat. The Modi government had approved the first proposal for establishing a semiconductor unit in Sanand in 2023. During the presentation, Vaishnaw emphasized India's position in the global semiconductor landscape, stating that the world now looks at India with confidence.

He highlighted India's role as a beacon of stability and growth during times of global policy turmoil and uncertainty, positioning the country as an attractive destination for semiconductor investments due to stable policies. The minister noted that semiconductors are at the heart of modern technology, powering essential systems in healthcare, transport, communication, defence, and space.

As the world moves toward greater digitalization and automation, semiconductors have become integral to economic security and strategic independence. The three-day Semicon India conference focuses on advancing a robust, resilient, and sustainable semiconductor ecosystem in India. The presentation of the Vikram-32 processor to Prime Minister Modi represents both a technological and symbolic milestone, marking India's entry into a new era of indigenous semiconductor innovation and global competitiveness in the semiconductor value chain.

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