DHRUV64

NEWS

• On December 15, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced the launch of DHRUV64, an indigenous microprocessor.
• The chip is positioned as a key pillar in India’s push for technological self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in semiconductors.

WHAT IS DHRUV64?

• DHRUV64 is a 64-bit, dual-core microprocessor clocked at 1 GHz.
• Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under MeitY’s Microprocessor Development Programme.
• Designed as a general-purpose processor suitable for:
  • Industrial automation
  • Telecommunications
  • Embedded systems
  • Strategic and control applications

WHO DEVELOPED DHRUV64?

• Developed by C-DAC, a premier R&D institution under MeitY.
• Part of India’s broader effort to reduce dependence on imported processor designs and supply chains.

WHY DOES DHRUV64 MATTER?

• Processors form the core of digital infrastructure, from telecom networks to industrial control.
• Indigenous processors enhance:
  • Cybersecurity
  • Supply chain resilience
  • Strategic autonomy during geopolitical or trade disruptions
• While not competing with high-end consumer CPUs, DHRUV64 targets reliability-focused sectors.

OTHER INDIGENOUS PROCESSOR INITIATIVES

India’s processor ecosystem includes:

• SHAKTI – IIT Madras
• AJIT – IIT Bombay
• VIKRAM – ISRO–Semiconductor Lab
• THEJAS32 & THEJAS64 – C-DAC
• These cater to space, defence, industrial control, and automation systems.

ROLE OF RISC-V AND DIR-V

• DHRUV64 is based on RISC-V, an open-source instruction set architecture.
• Linked to the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V)
• Benefits:
  • No licence fees
  • Modular design
  • Customisable security and performance features

WHAT HAS MEITY NOT REVEALED?

Key gaps in official disclosures include:

• Performance benchmarks and power efficiency data
• Memory architecture and I/O details
• Fabrication location, yield, and reliability metrics
• Clarity on what “fully indigenous” precisely means
• Developer ecosystem details: OS support, security audits, timelines

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES SUPPORTING CHIP DEVELOPMENT

• Chips to Startup Programme (₹250 crore)
• Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme
• INUP-i2i Initiative for nanofabrication access
• India Semiconductor Mission:
  • 10 approved projects
  • ₹1.6 lakh crore investment across six States

WAY FORWARD

• DHRUV64 signals India’s intent to move toward system-on-chip families, robust ecosystems, and domestic manufacturing.
• Long-term success will depend on software support, industry adoption, and transparent performance validation.