Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India has achieved a significant milestone in its semiconductor journey with the launch of DHRUV64, a fully indigenous microprocessor developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP).
DHRUV64 provides the nation a reliable, homegrown processor technology. It is capable of supporting strategic and commercial applications. It marks a major advancement in the country’s pursuit of self-reliance in advanced chip design.
DHRUV64 is built with modern architectural features. It delivers higher efficiency, enhanced multitasking capability and improved reliability. Its advanced design enables seamless integration with a wide range of external hardware systems.
The processor’s modern fabrication leverages technologies used for high-performance chips. This makes DHRUV64 suitable for sectors such as 5G infrastructure, automotive systems, consumer electronics, industrial automation and the Internet of Things.
Strategic significance
DHRUV64 marks a major milestone in India’s efforts to build a secure and self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem. It strengthens the nation’s indigenous capability in advanced processor development.
India consumes around 20 per cent of all the microprocessors manufactured globally. The development of DHRUV64 provides India’s large talent base with a fully modern processor platform for advancement of semiconductor ecosystem.
Before DHRUV64, India had already begun expanding its indigenous microprocessor development ecosystem in recent years. Developing indigenous processors such as the SHAKTI, AJIT, VIKRAM, THEJAS, and now the DHRUV64 is strategically significant. These processors drive the creation of an Indian processor ecosystem.
Impact on R&D
DHRUV64 provides a homegrown microprocessor technology designed for startups, academia, and industry to build, test, and scale indigenous computing products without relying on foreign processors.
It supports prototype development for new system architectures at lower cost. India already has 20 pc of the world’s chip design engineers. DHRUV64 further helps in building a strong pipeline of skilled semiconductor chip professionals.
The success of DHRUV64 accelerates the roadmap for Dhanush and Dhanush+ processors, which are under development phase.
The Government launched the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Programme to advance the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. It aims to establish India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM).
The initiative develops a complete portfolio of RISC-V–based microprocessors. These processors will power applications across industry, strategic sectors, and consumer technologies.
Significance for India
RISC-V is an open architecture that provides a set of instructions for chip design. It involves no licence costs, which allows wider adoption through shared innovation by industry, start-ups and research institutions.
It helps build a complete portfolio of indigenous microprocessors under the DIR-V Programme for use in various sectors. It encourages shared innovation by providing common tools and standards for developers.
The launch of DHRUV64 marks an important step in strengthening India’s self-reliant microprocessor ecosystem. By utilising open-source architecture, DHRUV64 eliminates licence costs. This supports long-term deployment across platforms.
DHRUV64 is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme with an overall aim to enable creation of microprocessors for the future in India.
The rollout of DHRUV64 demonstrates India’s growing capability in developing indigenous microprocessor technologies. The continued progress of the DIR-V initiative reinforces the nation’s commitment to building a strong microprocessor ecosystem.
