ISRO Unveils Vikram: India's 32-bit Space-Grade Processor
ISRO has unveiled Vikram, a 32-bit space-grade processor, marking a significant milestone in India's semiconductor journey. This announcement comes as the country prepares for the next phase of its semiconductor mission, ISM 2.0, which aims to reduce import dependence and position India as a global semiconductor hub.
The Indian government launched its semiconductor mission in 2021 with the aim of building fabs and creating an indigenous supply chain. Last month, the Union Cabinet approved four new semiconductor projects worth INR 4,584 Cr across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Punjab. The mission, initially known as ISM 1.0, had a total outlay of INR 76,000 Cr and focused on setting up fabs, OSAT units, and semiconductor testing labs.
Under ISM 1.0, several flagship projects have been approved. These include Tata Electronics' fab facility in Gujarat and Micron's ATMP facility in Sanand. Additionally, companies like Futurail have received financing, including public grants, to advance autonomous train technology. The mission has now shifted its focus from discussing 'if' to 'how fast', with the government preparing for the next phase, ISM 2.0.
ISM 2.0 proposes a $20 billion (INR 1.7 Lakh Cr) package to build a complete semiconductor ecosystem, including India's first display fabrication facility. This phase allocates INR 5,000 Cr towards design-linked incentives, more than three times the INR 1,500 Cr in the first phase. The plan includes incentives for chip design patents, subsidies for sensor suppliers, and support for OSAT units. With these initiatives, India is poised to become a credible alternative hub in the global semiconductor supply chain.
