By Soumya Ranjan At Semicon India 2025, India unveiled Vikram processor, its first domestic 32-bit microprocessor, signaling a major advancement in semiconductor production. The chip, created by ISRO, is intended for space launch vehicles and lessens dependency on imports. Driven by stable policies and economic growth, India hopes to become a center for chip design and manufacturing, with five semiconductor units currently under construction.
At the Semicon India 2025 conference, India unveiled Vikram, the nation’s first entirely domestic 32-bit microprocessor, marking a significant advancement in the semiconductor industry. At the event, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, gave Prime Minister Narendra Modi the processor and test chips from four projects that had been approved.
According to Vaishnaw, the Vikram processor, created by ISRO’s Semiconductor Laboratory, is a significant step in India’s attempts to lessen its reliance on imported chips because it is built to survive the severe environmental conditions of space launch vehicles.
Vaishnaw emphasized how quickly India’s semiconductor infrastructure is developing. Five semiconductor units are being built; one unit’s pilot line is already finished, and two more are anticipated to begin production in the upcoming months. “The design of five more units is coming along quite nicely. “All of the chip manufacturing ecosystem partners are present,” he said.
Vaishnaw claimed that Prime Minister Modi’s vision is responsible for the push for semiconductors. “We first met a few years ago to start the India Semiconductor Mission, a new initiative motivated by our Prime Minister’s forward-thinking vision. In just three and a half years, the world is now confidently observing India. Five semiconductor units are currently being built at a breakneck pace. “We just gave PM Modi the first ‘Made-in-India’ chip,” he stated.
“We are living in unprecedented times,” he added, highlighting India’s stability in these uncertain times. Uncertainty has been greatly increased by global policy turmoil. India is a beacon of stability and development in these tumultuous times. India has stable policies, so you should visit us.”
Speaking to investors, Vaishnaw highlighted India’s growth in electronics, pointing out that exports have increased eightfold over the last ten years, while production has increased sixfold. He emphasized that now is the perfect time for international players to invest in the nation due to its stable policies and growing demand.
India’s aspirations in the semiconductor industry are just getting started with the Vikram processor. India is a vital center for semiconductor design worldwide, with about 20% of the world’s chip design engineers based there, according to a Bastion Research report.
“India already plays a significant role in the design of semiconductors worldwide. About 20% of the world’s chip design engineers are based here, which may surprise you, the report said.
India’s position in the global chip ecosystem has been strengthened by the establishment of sizable R&D and design centers in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Noida by multinational technology behemoths like Qualcomm, Intel, Nvidia, Broadcom, and MediaTek.
India’s policy efforts to develop a self-sufficient semiconductor industry were also highlighted in the report. Launched in 2021 as part of the Indian Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 1.0, the Semicon India Program provides incentives valued at approximately Rs 76,000 crore to entice manufacturers from around the world.
Vikram’s debut and the ongoing semiconductor projects highlight New Delhi’s efforts to establish India as a center for chip design and manufacturing, a field deemed essential for both strategic independence and economic growth.