New Delhi, Sep.04,2025:Vikram-32 (also called VIKRAM 3201) is India’s first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor, developed by ISRO’s Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Chandigarh and
Vikram-32 Breaks New Ground
Vikram-32 has planted India firmly in the global semiconductor arena. This Made-in-India, space-grade microprocessor is tailored for the harsh conditions of rocket launches and space missions—marking a monumental stride in the nation’s tech capabilities. Delivered to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Semicon India 2025, the unveiling underscores India’s technological self-reliance journey.
What Is Vikram-32?
Vikram-32 (also called VIKRAM 3201) is India’s first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor, developed by ISRO’s Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Chandigarh and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). It’s designed to withstand extreme environments like vibration, heat, cold, and radiation during rocket launches and spaceflight.
Successfully fabricated using a 180 nm CMOS process, it debuted in space during the PSLV-C60 mission, demonstrating its resilience and reliability. Vikram-32 succeeds the earlier 16-bit VIKRAM1601 processor, which had powered ISRO missions since 2009.
Technical Features & Design Innovations
Vikram-32’s key strengths include-
- 32-bit architecture: More powerful and capable of handling larger memory and complex instructions.
- Floating-point computation: Supports real-time trajectory, navigation, and control calculations.
- Custom ISA paired with Ada support: Tailored for safety-critical aerospace software; C compiler is under development
- In-house software ecosystem: ISRO built its compiler, assembler, linker, simulator—fully indigenous toolchain.
- MIL-STD-1553B interface inclusion: Facilitates mission-critical communication integration.
- Rugged & space-qualified: Validated through vibration, temperature, and radiation tests.
Global Context- How Vikram-32 Compares
In contrast to consumer processors, space-grade chips prioritize reliability and radiation tolerance:
- RAD750 (US) and LEON (Europe): Long-trusted space processors. Vikram-32 now stands among them.
- Process node: Vikram-32 uses a mature 180 nm node—preferred for space resiliency—while advanced consumer chips (e.g., Intel Panther Lake) are in the 1.8 nm range.
- Global race moving ahead: The US is developing 64-bit, multicore, AI-capable RISC-V processors. Europe’s NOEL-V, and China’s Loongson 3C6000 (64-core, AI-ready) set a high innovation bar.
Vikram-32 positions India on the legacy space-processor map, primed to evolve toward next-gen designs.
India’s Strategic Semiconductor Push
Vikram-32 is both a technological and symbolic triumph. Unveiled during Semicon India 2025, Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw handed the chip to PM Modi, who called semiconductors the “digital diamond” of our times.
Under the India Semiconductor Mission (launched 2021), India has rolled out:
- 10 approved semiconductor projects across 6 states
- ₹1.60 lakh crore+ worth of investments
- 5 fabrication units under construction
- 23+ design startups supported via the Design-Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme The strategy reflects India’s transformation from a chip importer to a creator, using large domestic talent pools and stable industrial policy as strong pillars.
Future Prospects & Broader Applications
Though Vikram-32 is designed for space and launch-vehicle avionics, its rugged reliability opens doors in:
- Defense systems
- Advanced automotive technologies
- High-reliability energy systems
- It marks the beginning of India’s roadmap to build a full semiconductor ecosystem—spanning R&D, manufacturing, packaging, and design.
A Semiconductor Turning Point
In under four years, India has leapfrogged from heavy reliance to indigenous chip creation. Vikram-32, with its rigorous space-grade design and fully domestic toolchain, signifies a semiconductor watershed moment.
While global peers advance faster, India now holds a firm foothold, empowered by strategic vision and strong policy backing. The semiconductor race is on—and with Vikram-32, India is now a contender.
