India achieved a landmark milestone with the launch of DHRUV64, the country’s first fully indigenous 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor. Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP), DHRUV64 strengthens India’s indigenous processor pipeline and provides a reliable, homegrown technology for both strategic and commercial applications. This microprocessor marks a major step in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in advanced chip design.
Why Indigenous Microprocessors Matter
Microprocessors serve as the brains of modern electronics, powering mobiles, computers, automobiles, medical equipment, defence systems, and satellites. Developing homegrown microprocessors reduces India’s dependence on foreign suppliers and supports its growing electronics and digital economy. DHRUV64 delivers higher efficiency, enhanced multitasking, and improved reliability, while its advanced design ensures seamless integration with a wide range of external hardware. The processor is suitable for sectors such as 5G infrastructure, automotive systems, consumer electronics, industrial automation, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Strategic Significance of DHRUV64
DHRUV64 strengthens India’s domestic semiconductor ecosystem and supports critical digital infrastructure, reducing long-term reliance on imported chips. India consumes around 20% of global microprocessors, and DHRUV64 provides a fully modern platform for advancing the domestic semiconductor industry. India had already begun building its indigenous microprocessor ecosystem through earlier processors such as SHAKTI (2018, IIT Madras) for strategic, space, and defence applications, AJIT (2018, IIT Bombay) for industrial and robotics applications, VIKRAM (2025, ISRO–SCL) for space navigation, guidance, and mission operations engineered to withstand extreme space conditions, and THEJAS64 (2025, C-DAC) for industrial automation. Developing these processors, culminating in DHRUV64, drives the creation of a robust Indian processor ecosystem.
DHRUV64’s Impact on R&D and Innovation
DHRUV64 provides startups, academia, and industry with a homegrown platform to design, test, and scale computing products without relying on foreign processors. It enables cost-effective prototype development for new system architectures and strengthens India’s skilled semiconductor workforce. The success of DHRUV64 accelerates the development of next-generation processors, Dhanush and Dhanush+, which are currently under design and fabrication.
Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Programme
The Government of India launched the DIR-V Programme in April 2022 to advance the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and establish India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM). The programme develops a full portfolio of RISC-V–based microprocessors for strategic, industrial, and consumer applications. By leveraging the open-source RISC-V architecture, DHRUV64 eliminates licensing costs, encourages shared innovation, and facilitates collaboration among startups, research institutions, and industry. DHRUV64 is the third chip fabricated under DIR-V, following THEJAS32, fabricated at Silterra, Malaysia, and THEJAS64, manufactured domestically at Semiconductor Lab (SCL), Mohali. India is currently developing Dhanush64 and Dhanush64+ System-on-Chip (SoC) variants.
Institutional Ecosystem Driving Processor Development
India’s indigenous processor ecosystem is supported by a coordinated institutional framework. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) provides policy guidance, funding, and long-term planning under schemes like MDP, DIR-V, Chips to Startup (C2S), and India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). C-DAC leads processor design, creating IPs, SoCs, development boards, and tools, while advancing next-generation RISC-V processors, Dhanush and Dhanush+, which expand India’s homegrown RISC-V ecosystem and strategic and commercial applications.
Key National Programmes Supporting Chip Design
Several flagship programmes reinforce India’s chip development ecosystem. The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), launched in 2021, facilitates large semiconductor investments and has approved ten projects across six states with a total commitment of ₹1.60 lakh crore. The Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme, launched in 2022, builds capacity across 113 institutions, training 85,000 industry-ready professionals over five years. The Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, launched in 2021, provides financial incentives and design infrastructure support for ICs, SoCs, and semiconductor design over five years. The Indian Nanoelectronics Users Programme – idea to innovation (INUP-i2i) provides access to national nanofabrication facilities, hands-on training, workshops, industrial training, and hackathons, supporting 348 short-term and 220 mid-term R&D projects and training over 8,000 skilled personnel.
Building a Self-Reliant Semiconductor Ecosystem
India’s progress from THEJAS32 to DHRUV64 demonstrates its growing capability to design, develop, and prototype advanced microprocessors. Supported by national programmes like DIR-V, C2S, ISM, DLI, and INUP-i2i, DHRUV64 exemplifies India’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the semiconductor sector. Coordinated efforts across MeitY, C-DAC, academia, and industry are building the talent, research strength, and infrastructure needed for long-term leadership in advanced technologies. The transition from THEJAS32 to DHRUV64, along with ongoing development of Dhanush and Dhanush+, reflects a confident national pathway toward indigenous processor innovation and technological self-reliance.
