India embraces RISC-V with the aim for self-reliance in semiconductor design
India has thrown its support behind the open source RISC-V architecture. This move comes as RISC-V gains momentum as a potent contender on the global stage, challenging the dominance of Softbank’s ARM technology.
Under the banner of the Digital India RISC V (DIR-V) program, India’s computing systems are set to harness the power of this open source architecture. The country’s ambitions span various sectors including automotive, space technology, IoT sensors, and mobility, as highlighted by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology.
Speaking passionately about the initiative, Chandrasekhar affirmed, “The government is committed to making DIR-V the Indian ISA. There were some doubts if we will go the ARM way, but I want to commit to you today that DIR-V will have a central place in the high performance computing systems being developed by our country.” Chandrasekhar delivered this announcement virtually at the Digital India RISC-V Symposium, jointly organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and IIT-Madras in Chennai.
The move is a significant departure from the status quo dominated by Softbank Group’s ‘ARM’ instruction set architecture (ISA), which has long held sway in the global chip design industry. The adoption of the open source RISC-V architecture not only signals India’s aspirations for self-reliance but also secures its place at the forefront of global chip design developments.
As India takes its stand alongside the growing RISC-V community, it is clear that the nation is ready to make its mark in the semiconductor landscape. With DIR-V poised to become the bedrock of Indian computing systems, the nation inches closer to technological self-sufficiency. The embrace of RISC-V architecture not only propels India’s innovation forward but also amplifies its voice on the international stage of chip design.
The journey towards self-reliance is no easy feat, but India’s commitment to the open source RISC-V architecture signifies a resolute step toward achieving this goal. As the landscape of global chip design continues to evolve, India’s strategic decision could potentially shape the future trajectory of the industry.
