India’s Semiconductor Revolution: IIT Madras to Launch First Indigenous 7nm Chip by 2028
India's First Indigenous 7nm Chip 'Shakti' by IIT Madras Targeted for 2028
Introduction
India's semiconductor journey has crossed a major milestone with IIT Madras announcing the development of the country’s first indigenous 7-nanometer (7nm) processor named Shakti. Expected to be ready by 2028, this leap from earlier 28nm technologies symbolizes India's stride towards digital sovereignty and self-reliance in semiconductor manufacturing. The announcement was endorsed by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighting the government's strong commitment to advancing the domestic semiconductor ecosystem.
Shakti Chip Overview
The Shakti processor is being developed by a talented team at IIT Madras under the guidance of Professor V. Kamakoti at the Prathap Subrahmanyam Centre for Digital Intelligence and Secure Hardware Architecture. The processor is based on the open-source RISC-V instruction set architecture, which ensures enhanced security features and customization potential, ideal for deployment in IT servers catering to sectors such as finance, communications, defense, and strategic projects.
The design work aims for completion by 2028, coinciding with the anticipated operational readiness of wafer fabrication (chip manufacturing) plants in India that will support production locally. This technology target of 7nm is critical as state-of-the-art devices worldwide, including smartphones and servers, predominantly use chips sized between 3nm and 7nm.
Strategic Significance for India
This 7nm chip design initiative marks a strategic step in India’s larger semiconductor mission launched in 2021. With over ₹1.60 lakh crore of projects approved across six states, the government aims to establish India as a global hub for semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing.
The indigenous development of advanced chips like Shakti reduces reliance on global supply chains, enhances national security for critical applications, and creates technological and economic growth opportunities. The effort is part of India’s vision to manufacture cutting-edge technology domestically and boost sectors such as defense and communications, which require highly secure and robust computing infrastructure.
Building an Indigenous Manufacturing Ecosystem
The 7nm Shakti processor development is backed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the Digital India RISC-V initiative. The government is also establishing semiconductor fabrication units across the country, with pilot production and commercial manufacturing timelines moving swiftly.
This ecosystem development includes collaborations with research institutions like IIT Madras, focusses on equipping fabrication facilities with the capability to handle advanced nanometer-scale chip production, and nurtures domestic chip design talent which now comprises 20% of the global semiconductor design workforce.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, India is not only focused on 7nm chips but also investing in research on 5nm and even 2nm technologies, signaling a clear roadmap for semiconductor excellence. The first batch of indigenously produced chips is expected by the end of 2025 using 28 to 90nm technologies, paving the way for more advanced nodes like 7nm.
These developments collectively position India to become a critical player in the global semiconductor landscape by 2030, with enhanced capabilities in chip design, manufacturing, and ecosystem partnerships.
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