India has taken a monumental step in establishing itself as a global leader in semiconductor innovation, thanks to a series of transformative initiatives launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Recognizing chip design as a strategic necessity, the ministry is undertaking a systematic overhaul of the semiconductor design ecosystem across 300 organizations nationwide. This includes 250 academic institutions and 65 startup companies, aiming to foster creativity, accessibility, and innovation. The government’s vision is to democratize chip design in alignment with the ethos that “Design in India is as important as Make in India.”
The Chips to Start-Up (C2S) Program, a flagship initiative of MeitY, is at the forefront of this movement. The program seeks to create a new generation of industry-ready professionals specializing in semiconductor chip design at the B.Tech, M.Tech, and Ph.D. levels. With a target to produce 85,000 skilled individuals, the program offers comprehensive hands-on training in chip design, fabrication, and testing. Collaborating with industry partners, the initiative equips students with access to electronic design automation tools, semiconductor foundries, and advanced resources. This support extends to research and development projects, including prototypes of ASICs, SoCs, and IP Core designs.
To further bolster India’s capabilities, the ChipIN Centre has been established under the C2S Program at the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). This centralized facility, equipped with cutting-edge tools for the entire chip design cycle up to advanced nodes of 5nm, serves as a one-stop center for chip designers across the country. By providing aggregation services for fabrication and packaging, the ChipIN Centre has become a hub for technological advancement and innovation.
The government also marked a significant milestone by announcing the winners of the Analog and Digital Design Hackathons. These events, which saw participation from 2,210 teams comprising 10,040 students, showcased India’s burgeoning talent in chip design. After intense rounds of coding and design challenges, six teams emerged victorious. These included innovators from prestigious institutions such as IIT Delhi, NIT Rourkela, IIT Guwahati, IIT Bombay, Saveetha Engineering College, and IIT (BHU Varanasi). Teams tackled real-world problems like enhancing image processing on FPGA hardware and optimizing voltage regulator circuits, underscoring India’s expertise in deep-tech solutions.
A pivotal development in India’s semiconductor journey is the indigenous creation of the BLDC Motor Controller Chip, awarded to Vervesemi Microelectronics Pvt. Ltd. This chip boasts an impressive 90% bill of materials made in India, offering a complete power and control solution for less than Rs. 1.50 and scalability at 10 million units per year. Vervesemi, a fabless semiconductor company established in 2017, specializes in high-performance ASICs for sensors and wireless applications. The company has successfully taped out integrated circuits on multiple nodes, including 8nm, 22nm, and 55nm, among others.
Another groundbreaking initiative is the launch of the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Grand Challenge, which will start inviting applications on April 10. Participants will explore innovative applications powered by VEGA Processors from C-DAC and SHAKTI Microprocessors from IIT Madras. Supported by organizations like Renesas, LTSC, and Bharat Electronics, the challenge aims to empower researchers and entrepreneurs to develop solutions leveraging open-source technologies.
During the launch, officials emphasized India’s need to transition from a service-oriented economy to a product-driven nation. They highlighted the importance of inclusive solutions involving academia, startups, and researchers to achieve this transformation. The incremental approach to chip design ensures a balance between high-value and high-deployment products, contributing to India’s self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem.
The government’s commitment is evident in the C2S Program’s efforts to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and researchers to redefine semiconductor systems. India now stands at the cusp of a technological renaissance, poised to drive global innovation and establish itself as a powerhouse in the semiconductor industry. With initiatives like the ChipIN Centre, hackathons, and indigenous chip development, India is charting a path towards a future of technological excellence and economic resilience.
