Dhruv64 is India’s first 64-bit 1GHz chip, which will help make the country self-reliant in critical industries and defence.
India has unveiled Dhruv64, its latest advancement in semiconductors. Dhruv 64 is India’s first 64-bit 1GHz chip, and paves the way for self-reliance in critical industries and defence. Here are all the details.
India has announced a major step in the development of indigenous semiconductors with the launch of its first indigenous 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor Dhruv64. This is a notable step in the country’s efforts to become self-reliant in essential industries and defense technology. As the first product of its kind developed indigenously, Dhruva64 is set to strengthen India’s domestic semiconductor and processor pipeline, which has traditionally been dependent on foreign innovation.
What is Dhruva64?
Dhruv64 was developed by the Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Microprocessor Development Program (MDP). The launch of the microprocessor comes amid ongoing government initiatives such as the Digital India RISC-V programme, which is designed to promote design, testing and prototyping of domestic chips. According to a press release from the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Dhruva64 is a direct outcome of these support mechanisms, which prioritize the creation of indigenous technology to meet national needs.
Dhruva64 is said to have both commercial and strategic uses. The press release said Dhruva64 will especially help India reduce its dependence on imported processors in critical infrastructure sectors, especially defense and high-performance computing. According to PIB, India consumes 20 percent of all microprocessors manufactured globally. Thus, this new processor provides a homegrown option for startups, education, and industry.
Why is Dhruva64 important for India?
While there have been small-scale chip projects in India in the past, the Dhruva64’s 64-bit architecture and 1.0 GHz dual-core design marks a significant leap forward in terms of power and usability. This development could pave the way for more advanced, secure and efficient hardware tailored to India’s specific needs. The increased performance and modern architecture of the processor means it can support a wide range of applications from embedded systems to high-performance computing tasks, expanding India’s technological horizons.
After the successful development of Dhruva64, the next generation of indigenous processors is already in progress. These include the Dhanush and Dhanush+ chips, which are currently under development and are expected to further boost India’s self-reliance in strategic technology areas. The momentum generated by the success of Dhruv64 is expected to inspire additional projects and investments in local chip design, further strengthening India’s ambitions in this sector.
The launch of Dhruv64 comes just months after ISRO unveiled the Vikram 32-bit chip.