India took a giant leap toward becoming a global semiconductor powerhouse today at Semicon India 2025, held at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi. The event, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, showcased the nation’s first fully indigenous Vikram 32-bit Microprocessor, named Vikram. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, proudly presented the chip, along with test chips from four government-approved projects, to the Prime Minister, marking a historic milestone in India’s journey toward technological self-reliance.
Introducing the Vikram 32-bit Microprocessor
The Vikram microprocessor, developed by Patients and caregivers alike are thrilled about this achievement, as it paves the way for India to reduce its reliance on imported chips, especially for critical applications like space missions. Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Semiconductor Laboratory in Chandigarh, the Vikram chip is designed to withstand the extreme conditions of space launch vehicles, such as temperatures ranging from -55°C to 125°C. It’s a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the VIKRAM1601, a 16-bit processor used in ISRO’s launch vehicles since 2009. The new Vikram 3201 supports advanced features like 64-bit floating-point operations, Ada language compatibility, and on-chip 1553B bus interfaces, making it a robust solution for space navigation and control systems.
(Post Credit – Official Account of Ashwini Vaishnav)
Speaking at the event, Minister Vaishnaw highlighted the rapid progress of India’s semiconductor ecosystem, driven by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) launched in 2021. “In just three and a half years, we’ve built global confidence in India’s capabilities. Today, we presented the first Made-in-India chip to Prime Minister Modi, and five semiconductor manufacturing units are under construction, with one pilot line already complete,” he said. He also emphasized India’s stable policies and growing demand for electronics, inviting global investors to join the nation’s semiconductor revolution.
The Vikram chip has already proven its reliability, having powered the Mission Management Computer of the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4) during the PSLV-C60 mission. Alongside Vikram, another indigenous processor, Kalpana 3201, a 32-bit SPARC V8 RISC microprocessor, was introduced, showcasing India’s growing expertise in chip design. All supporting software tools, including compilers and simulators, were developed in-house by ISRO, further strengthening India’s self-reliant tech ecosystem.
Semicon India 2025, organized by the India Semiconductor Mission in partnership with SEMI, is a three-day event (September 2–4) aimed at fostering collaboration among industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers. With over 20,750 participants, including 2,500 delegates from 48 countries, 150 speakers, and 350 exhibitors, the conference is a vibrant platform for advancing India’s semiconductor ambitions. Sessions will cover topics like chip fabrication, advanced packaging, AI innovations, and workforce development, with participation from global giants like Applied Materials, ASML, IBM, and Tata Electronics.
The unveiling of Vikram is a proud moment for India, symbolizing the nation’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) vision. With 10 approved semiconductor projects worth over ₹1.60 lakh crore across states like Gujarat, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh, and 23 chip design projects supported under the Design Linked Incentive scheme, India is steadily carving its place in the global semiconductor value chain. As Minister Vaishnaw put it, “India stands as a lighthouse of stability and growth in uncertain times.
