India Launch First Fully ‘Made in India’ Microprocessor at Semicon India 2025
The first 'Made in India' semiconductor chips, unveiled in 2025, are primarily designed for use in space launch vehicles, but they are also positioned for deployment across defense, automotive, energy, and consumer electronics sectors.
Space and Strategic Applications
The inaugural Vikram 32-bit processor, developed by ISRO’s Semiconductor Laboratory, is especially engineered to withstand extreme conditions found in space launches and satellite deployment.
Its robust reliability makes it adaptable for critical roles in the defense and aerospace industries.
Automotive and Consumer Electronics
Facilities like CG Semi in Gujarat are manufacturing chips for widespread use in automobiles, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics, aiming to support millions of units daily in these industries.
The production also includes essential chips for industrial and power applications.
Deep-Tech Innovation and Regional Contributions
Student-designed chips, academic innovations, and regionally produced chips (such as those from Assam) are showcased for expanding uses in neural amplification, testing, and packaging solutions within India’s semiconductor supply chain.
Vikram 32-bit Processor
Launch vehicles, satellite controls, complex computing Space, Defense, Aerospace, Automotive, Energy
Vikram-32’s use of a 180nm process node makes it highly reliable and radiation-resistant, which is ideal for space, aerospace, defense, and high-reliability industrial applications, though it limits its raw computational performance compared to modern chips fabricated on much smaller nodes.
The 180nm process is significantly larger than the industry-leading 3–5nm nodes used in high-performance consumer CPUs and smartphones, leading to lower transistor density and operating frequencies (Vikram-32 runs at 100 MHz).
As a result, the chip consumes less power (operating power < 500 mW) and is not suited for extremely demanding computational tasks typical of modern desktops or servers.
Performance is ample for embedded, mission-critical computing such as navigation, guidance, and control in launch vehicles, but not for high-end consumer electronics
The mature 180nm node provides outstanding reliability, crucial for environments with extreme temperature variations, vibrations, and space radiation (operating safely from –55°C to +125°C).
Larger process nodes are less susceptible to radiation-induced errors (like single event upsets), a vital requirement for space missions where reliability is non-negotiable.
The Vikram-32 is qualified for harsh environments, making 180nm a deliberate and strategic choice over smaller, more fragile nodes.
Suitability for Mission-Critical Applications
The processor is robustly packaged and includes industrial features (hermetic CPGA package, MIL-STD-1553B bus interfaces), enhancing durability for guidance, navigation, and control in satellites and launch vehicles.
Its architecture and fabrication also make it ideal for critical defense, energy, and automotive applications that prioritize stability over cutting-edge speed.
CG Semi Chips (Gujarat)
Consumer electronics, vehicles, industrial machinery Consumer, Automotive, Industrial, Energy
The chips are designed for use in automotive safety systems, control units, vehicle electronics, industrial control, consumer electronics, and IoT devices.
With ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 certification underway, the plant guarantees high-yield rates, traceability, and rigorous reliability/failure analysis—meeting global automotive and industrial standards.
Tata OSAT, NIT Silchar ( Assam)
Chip packaging, reliability, neural amplifier Supply Chain, Innovation
NIT Silchar Chip
NIT Silchar developed an advanced Neural Amplifier Frontend IC, designed to amplify delicate neural signals with high precision, targeting brain-computer interfaces and healthcare technology applications.
The simultaneous development of Tata OSAT’s packaging/test facility and research chips like the NIT Silchar IC shows a holistic growth trajectory spanning manufacturing, R&D, and high-tech applications.
Student-Designed Chips Various pilot and test conditions, research and innovation Education, R&D
These initial deployments mark India’s advance in self-reliant semiconductor technology for both high-impact strategic fields and mass-market electronics
Oil is Black Gold But Chips are Digital Diamonds -Narendra Modi