India Unveils DHRUV64, Pioneering a Self-Reliant Chip Ecosystem

India has launched DHRUV64, its first fully indigenous 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor, marking a key step toward self-reliance in semiconductor technology. Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP) and Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) initiative, it leverages open-source RISC-V architecture for cost-effective innovation.

Key Specifications

DHRUV64 operates at 1.0 GHz with a dual-core design, offering enhanced efficiency, multitasking, and reliability for seamless integration with external hardware. It suits applications in 5G infrastructure, automotive systems, consumer electronics, industrial automation, and IoT devices. India consumes about 20% of global microprocessors, making this homegrown chip vital for reducing import dependence.

Strategic Importance

The processor bolsters India's semiconductor ecosystem by enabling startups, academia, and industry to prototype without foreign reliance, while building a skilled workforce—India holds 20% of the world's chip design engineers. It follows earlier processors like SHAKTI (2018, IIT Madras), AJIT (2018, IIT Bombay), VIKRAM (2025, ISRO), and THEJAS64 (2025, C-DAC). Future developments include Dhanush and Dhanush+ processors under design.

Development Ecosystem

Supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) through schemes like Chips to Startup (C2S) and India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), DHRUV64 was fabricated domestically at Semiconductor Lab (SCL), Mohali, after earlier chips at Silterra, Malaysia. This aligns with Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals for critical digital infrastructure.