Shakti Semiconductor Chips – India’s First Indigenous Aerospace-Grade Chip

GS3 – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 

Context:

India has developed its first indigenous aerospace-grade semiconductor chip, Shakti, through a collaboration between IIT Madras and ISRO under the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) initiative. This marks a significant step towards semiconductor self-reliance and strengthening India’s strategic autonomy.

About Shakti Semiconductor Chips

What is Shakti?

• Shakti is an indigenous microprocessor based on the RISC-V open-source Instruction Set Architecture (ISA).
• Designed to meet high-reliability and security requirements, especially for space, defense, and computing industries.

Developed by:

• IIT Madras in collaboration with ISRO.
• Supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) initiative.

Key Features of Shakti:

1. Fully Indigenous – Designed, fabricated, and tested entirely in India.
2. Fault-Tolerant Design – Enhances reliability for critical aerospace and defense applications.
3. RISC-V Architecture – Open-source 64-bit processor for flexibility and customization.
4. High-Performance Computing – Supports command and control systems, sensor integration, and AI applications.
5. Advanced Security – Designed for strategic sectors requiring robust cybersecurity.
6. Multiple Boot Modes – Can be expanded for future space missions and secure computing applications.

Applications of Shakti Chips:

• Space Missions – Used in satellites, avionics, and embedded controllers for ISRO applications.
• Defense & Aerospace – Reduces dependency on foreign military-grade electronics.
• IoT & AI Applications – Supports smart systems and automation.
• Command & Control Systems – Crucial for real-time operations.
• R&D in Semiconductor Industry – Advances India’s semiconductor fabrication capabilities.

What is the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Program?

Launched In:

• April 2022 under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Aim:

• Strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem by developing indigenous RISC-V-based microprocessors.
• Achieve self-reliance in the digital sector.

Key Features of DIR-V Program:

1. Indigenous Innovation – Promotes domestic microprocessor technology, reducing dependence on foreign semiconductor solutions.
2. High-Performance Computing – Supports cloud computing, IoT, AI, and sensor-based applications.
3. Industry-Academia Collaboration – Involves C-DAC, IITs, ISRO, and private sector partners.
4. Future Technologies – Facilitates 5G/6G, AI, and automation, laying the foundation for India’s digital infrastructure.

This initiative is a major milestone in India’s semiconductor mission, positioning the country as a key player in the global chip manufacturing industry.