10 semiconductor projects worth over Rs 1.6 lakh crore across six states under ISM approved: Govt

India is now taking a major step forward with the development of a seven nanometre processor, marking its entry into advanced node semiconductor design, the government said on Wednesday.

“Announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on 18 October 2025, the initiative signifies a defining moment in India’s semiconductor journey and reaffirms the nation’s commitment to self-reliant, next-generation technology innovation,” an official statement said.

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“The indigenous 7 nm processor design initiative marks India’s entry into advanced node R&D, placing it among the emerging nations advancing research and design at cutting-edge technology nodes such as those pioneered by the United States, Taiwan, and South Korea,” it said.

“Under the Rs 76,000 crore India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), 10 semiconductor projects with investments exceeding Rs 1.6 lakh crore have been approved across six states,” the statement said.

India has steadily advanced its indigenous semiconductor capabilities over the past decade, developing home-grown processor architectures, nurturing design talent, and strengthening research infrastructure. These efforts have built a strong foundation for the country’s emergence as a key player in the global chip design ecosystem.

“The 7 nm processor is being developed by the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT Madras), a key institution in India’s processor design ecosystem through its SHAKTI initiative. Started in 2013, SHAKTI is based on open-source instruction set architecture, allowing anyone to adopt and use it freely without restrictions,” the statement further said.

India is presently adopting RISC-V architecture, open-source architecture, and a family of microprocessors is being developed based on different types of devices. As part of the SHAKTI project, a medium-range open-source processor has been developed so that any start-up can take up and carry the work forward.

“The project functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), which leads national efforts in semiconductor R&D, chip design, and innovation infrastructure,” the statement said.

The initiative aligns with the India Semiconductor Mission, a dedicated programme to establish end-to-end semiconductor and display manufacturing capabilities and strengthen the national electronics value chain.

The framework fosters collaboration among academia, industry, and startups to enhance R&D infrastructure and expand talent capacity.