Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented with India’s first indigenously developed 32-bit microprocessor, the Vikram chip, marking a defining milestone in the nation’s technological journey. The historic unveiling took place at the Semicon India 2025 conference in New Delhi, where Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw formally handed over the chip to the Prime Minister. The event underscored India’s entry into the era of self-reliant semiconductor innovation and was hailed as a breakthrough moment for the country’s digital future.

Addressing the summit, Prime Minister Modi declared, “The world trusts India, the world believes in India, and the world is ready to build a semiconductor future in India.” He further emphasised the nation’s economic trajectory, noting that “India is assured to progress rapidly to become the world’s third-largest economy… Oil may be black gold, but chips are digital diamonds.”

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#WATCH | At Semicon India 2025, Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw presents Vikram 32-bit processor and test chips of the 4 approved projects to PM Narendra Modi.

Vikram 32-bit processor is the first fully “Make-in-India” 32-bit… pic.twitter.com/8FCkbe0sve

— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2025

Engineered by ISRO: A Truly Home-Grown Chip

The Vikram processor has been designed and developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali, Punjab. As India’s first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor, it stands as a testament to the country’s growing expertise in advanced semiconductor design. Created to withstand the extreme conditions of outer space, the Vikram chip has already proven its reliability. A batch of Vikram 3201 processors was successfully validated during the PSLV-C60 mission, showcasing its ability to perform under the demanding conditions of real-world launches.

Beyond Space: Broad Applications

Although developed for space applications, the processor’s design and 32-bit architecture make it highly versatile. It holds potential for deployment in defence systems, aerospace technologies, next-generation automotive solutions, energy infrastructure, and other critical domains.

Semiconductor Self-Reliance: India’s Strategic Shift

The unveiling of the Vikram chip is a pivotal step in India’s pursuit of semiconductor self-reliance, a core objective of the India Semiconductor Mission launched in 2021. The achievement reflects the country’s determination to reduce import dependence and strengthen its position in the global semiconductor value chain.

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Digital Diamonds of the 21st Century

In his address, Prime Minister Modi mentioned semiconductors to “digital diamonds”, highlighting their transformative potential for economies worldwide. He stressed that even the smallest chip designed in India today could power “the world’s biggest change”. He further underlined India’s vast design talent pool and economic potential, reaffirming the government’s commitment to making the country a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing and innovation.

Rapid Progress: Building the Ecosystem

Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outlined the rapid strides India has made since the semiconductor mission’s launch just 3.5 years ago. Key milestones include:

* Approval of 10 manufacturing projects with investments exceeding ₹1.60 lakh crore across six states.
* Construction work underway on five semiconductor fabrication units.
* Support extended to 23 design startups under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme.

Vaishnaw described India as a “lighthouse of stability and growth” amid global uncertainty, positioning the country as a trusted destination for global investors seeking transparency and policy certainty.

Looking Ahead: India as a Semiconductor Powerhouse

The unveiling of the Vikram processor not only marks a technological breakthrough but also signals India’s broader ambition to establish a robust, resilient, and sustainable semiconductor ecosystem. With its blend of homegrown innovation, policy support, and global partnerships, India is poised to emerge as a semiconductor powerhouse on the world stage.