India has unveiled DHRUV64, its first fully indigenously developed 1 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor, marking a major milestone in the nation’s semiconductor journey and efforts toward technological self-reliance. The chip was announced by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP), supported by national initiatives such as the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) programme and other government semiconductor schemes
🔧 What Is DHRUV64?
- Processor Type: 1.0 GHz clock speed, 64-bit, dual-core microprocessor designed entirely in India
- Developer: Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), a premier R&D organisation under India’s Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY)
- Architecture: Modern architecture built on open-standards (RISC-V), enabling efficient multitasking, improved performance, and reliable integration with a wide range of hardware.
- Use Cases: Designed for strategic and commercial applications, suitable for 5G infrastructure, automotive systems, consumer electronics, industrial automation and the Internet of Things (IoT).
DHRUV64 represents a substantial leap from earlier indigenous chips and provides a modern processor platform that can support advanced computing tasks while promoting domestic innovation.
📈 Strategic Importance for India
India consumes nearly 20 % of all microprocessors manufactured globally, yet has traditionally relied heavily on foreign suppliers for advanced chip technologies. The unveiling of DHRUV64 is a major strategic achievement, strengthening the country’s semiconductor ecosystem by:
- Reducing dependence on imported processors — especially important for defence and critical infrastructure.
- Boosting indigenous R&D and innovation in hardware design.
- Providing a platform for startups, academia, and industry to build and prototype systems without relying on foreign technology
- Enabling future processor development — next in the pipeline are advanced chips such as Dhanush and Dhanush+ series. Press Information Bureau
The launch of DHRUV64 builds on earlier Indian microprocessor efforts — including SHAKTI, AJIT, VIKRAM and THEJAS64 — forming a fuller indigenous processor portfolio over time
🧠 Government Support and Ecosystem Building
The development of DHRUV64 is backed by coordinated government programmes aimed at strengthening India’s semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem:
- Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Programme — Promotes open-architecture silicon design and prototyping.
- Chips to Startup (C2S) and India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) — Support innovation infrastructure, funding, and capacity building.
- Design Linked Incentive (DLI) and INUP-i2i schemes — Encourage industry participation, training, and access to fabrication facilities.
Together, these programmes aim to cultivate a strong domestic semiconductor talent pool and infrastructure, helping position India as a global hub for electronics design and manufacturing.
🔭 Future Roadmap
Following the announcement of DHRUV64:
- Next-generation processors like Dhanush and Dhanush+ are already under development, expected to bring higher performance and broader application support
- Applications across sectors will expand as indigenous silicon technologies mature
- India’s growing chip design ecosystem is set to support both national security and commercial competitiveness in global markets
