Context: India’s first indigenous aerospace-grade semiconductor chip, ‘Shakti’, has been developed by IIT Madras and ISRO under the Digital India RISC-V initiative (DIRV) to strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem and strategic autonomy.

About Shakti Semi-Conductor Chips

• Shakti is an indigenous microprocessor based on the RISC-V open-source Instruction Set Architecture (ISA).

• It is designed to meet the high-reliability and security needs of India’s 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 (DIRV) initiative.

Key Features

• End-to-End Indigenous: Fully developed, fabricated, and tested in India.

• Fault-Tolerant Design: Enhanced reliability for aerospace and defense applications.

• RISC-V Architecture: Uses an open-source 64-bit processor for flexibility and customization.

• High-Performance Computing: Supports command and control systems, sensor integration, and AI-based applications.

• Advanced Security: Designed for strategic sectors requiring robust cybersecurity measures.

• Multiple Boot Modes: Expandable for future space missions and secure computing requirements.

Applications

• Space Missions: Used in satellites, avionics, and embedded controllers for ISRO applications.

• Defense & Aerospace: Strengthens India’s self-reliance in military-grade electronics.

• IoT & AI Applications: Supports high-performance computing for smart systems.

• Command & Control Systems: Critical for real-time operations and automation.

• R&D in Semiconductor Industry: Advances India’s position in indigenous chip fabrication.

About Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Program

• Launched In: April 2022

• Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

• Aim: To strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem by developing indigenous RISC-V-based microprocessors for self-reliance in the digital sector.

Key Features of the DIR-V Program

• Indigenous Innovation & Self-Reliance: Promotes the development of domestic microprocessor technology to reduce dependency on foreign semiconductor solutions.

• High-Performance Computing: Focuses on cloud services, IoT, AI, sensors, and advanced computing, ensuring India’s presence in next-generation digital infrastructure.

• Collaboration with Industry & Academia: Works closely with C-DAC, IITs, ISRO, and private industry partners to develop scalable RISC-V microprocessor solutions.

• Applications in Emerging Technologies: Supports 5G/6G, AI, and automation, creating a foundation for future technology advancements.