Semicon India 2025: India Unveils First Indigenous Space-Ready 32-bit Microprocessor ‘Vikram’

India is moving forward in its semiconductor journey with the debut of its first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor, named ‘Vikram’, at Semicon India 2025 today. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled the chip at the event, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ‘Made in India’ microchip is developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and designed for space missions. The chip is said to function under extreme environmental conditions. Also Read: Sundar Pichai Announces Google To Build India’s First Mega AI Hub With Airtel; PM Modi Reacts

Built for Space Applications

The Vikram 32-bit microchip (VIKRAM3201) is developed by ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in association with the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). The chip will power the avionics system in launch vehicles, ensuring navigation and control in the toughest environmental conditions during space travel. Also Read: After 25 Years, BSNL Joins The 4G Race With Pan-India Rollout

First ‘Made in Bharat’ Chips! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/QYFGA4HFLG Also Read: PM Modi to Launch Semicon India 2025 in Delhi: A Game-Changer for India’s Chip Industry

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) September 2, 2025

Tested for Harsh Environments

According to ISRO, the Vikram 32-bit microprocessor can withstand extreme temperatures – ranging from -55°C to 125°C. The chip also offers backward compatibility with the earlier VIKRAM1601 microprocessor, which has been in use since 2009 in ISRO’s launch vehicles.

Advanced Features for Precision

The Vikram microchip features a custom instruction set architecture that supports Ada programming language (widely trusted in aerospace systems) and has a floating-point computation unit. These capabilities make the chip powerful enough to handle complex mathematical calculations, such as trajectory planning, sensor data analysis, and 3D rendering for simulations.

Compatible with Open-Source Tools

ISRO says that the processor comes with support for open-source software toolsets, accompanied by proprietary simulator and Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The space agency notes that the chip has been tested successfully with flight software.

A Boost for India’s Semiconductor Push

Minister Vaishnaw said that five semiconductor units are currently under development. “Here we are today, in a short span of 3.5 years, we have the world looking at India with confidence. Today, the construction of 5 semiconductor units is going on at a rapid pace. Pilot line of 1 unit is complete and we just presented the first Made in India chip to Hon’ble PM here,” he said. Apart from the VIKRAM3201 microprocessor, chips from two other fabrication plants are said to release in the coming months.