Vikram-32 chip: What are the features of India’s first desi microchip built by ISRO?

India today unveiled its first indigenously developed 32-bit processor, Vikram-32, at the Semicon India 2025 conference. The microchip was presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at the function. The development marks a key milestone in the country’s push for semiconductor self-reliance.

Vikran Chip developed by ISRO

The Vikram-32 chip has been developed by the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is the first fully indigenous microprocessor built in India and is designed for space launch vehicles where extreme environmental conditions demand high reliability.

The first batch of Vikram 3201 devices was validated in space during the PSLV-C60 mission, confirming their readiness for future missions.


Introduced in March this year, the processor reflects the progress made under the India Semiconductor Mission launched in 2021. In just three and a half years, India has moved from being primarily a consumer of advanced chips to becoming a producer. The fabrication and packaging of Vikram took place at SCL’s 180nm CMOS facility in Mohali, Punjab.

Vikram-32: Technical features and applications

The Vikram-32 processor is designed to handle complex tasks, including calculations with decimals, using a 32-bit architecture. According to ISRO, it can manage large memory and execute sophisticated instructions required for satellite launches and space vehicles.

Engineered to withstand harsh space conditions, the chip also holds potential beyond space applications. Its robust design makes it suitable for use in defence, aerospace, automotive, and energy sectors.

Handing over the first indigenously built chip to the Prime Minister, Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw underlined India’s progress in the semiconductor sector. He said, “Construction of five new semiconductor units is underway, and 10 major projects have been approved with over Rs 1.60 lakh crore investments across six states.”

He added that more than 23 design startups are receiving support under the Design Linked Incentive scheme, positioning India as a “beacon of stability and growth” in the global semiconductor value chain.

Presenting the Vikram-32 to PM Modi is seen as both a technological and symbolic step, marking India’s entry into indigenous chip-making at a global level.

The three-day Semicon India conference is focusing on creating a robust, resilient, and sustainable semiconductor ecosystem, with the Vikram-32 chip at its centre as a demonstration of India’s growing capabilities.