IITs Drive India’s Semiconductor Revolution: Building Chips, Talent, and Technology Independence

India stands on the threshold of a semiconductor revolution, with its premier institutions — the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) — playing a pivotal role. From designing advanced processors to developing the skilled workforce needed for manufacturing, IIT labs are shaping a future where India can produce its own chips.

Semiconductors, the tiny chips that power everything from smartphones to cars, form the backbone of modern life. Yet, India has long been dependent on imports, leaving its economy exposed to supply disruptions and rising global costs.

Recent efforts, including the unveiling of Vikram, India’s first made-in-India chip, and the government’s ambitious India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) with a ₹76,000 crore budget, mark a decisive shift toward self-reliance.

Why IITs are Central to the Mission

From IIT Madras to IIT Kanpur and IIT Gandhinagar, the institutes are driving breakthroughs in design, nanomaterials, packaging, and power electronics.

• IIT Gandhinagar is building expertise in advanced packaging.

• IIT Bhubaneswar is leading in power electronics.

• IIT Kanpur’s SPICE models are already used in over 70% of global design ecosystems.

• IIT Madras’ SHAKTI project has delivered indigenous processors using open-source RISC-V architecture.

“India will soon lead the development of semiconductor chips,” said Prof. Nihar Ranjan Mohapatra of IIT Gandhinagar, stressing the importance of public-private collaboration.

From Research Labs to Startups

Beyond research, IITs are nurturing deep-tech startups in semiconductor and materials science. These ventures, supported by ministries and industry partners, are generating patents and IP critical for the sector.

Partnerships with Micron, Vedanta, and global design houses ensure students work on real-world challenges, bridging academia and industry.

Building the Talent Pipeline

A major challenge remains: the shortage of skilled semiconductor professionals. IITs are tackling this through specialised courses, global partnerships, and hands-on training in chip design, testing, and fabrication.

Prof. V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, highlighted the institute’s success in fabricating the RIMO (2018), MOUSHIK (2020), and SHAKTI (2025) chips — major milestones in India’s semiconductor journey.

A Vision for 2030

By 2030, India aims to establish not just fabrication plants but a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem — covering design, packaging, testing, and equipment supply. Chips are vital for national security, defence, AI, and space exploration, making technological independence a strategic necessity.

As students experiment in IIT classrooms today, they are laying the foundation for processors that may soon power satellites, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence systems.

The blueprint of India’s digital future is being drafted in the labs of its premier institutes.