Dhruv64 Processor: How India Quietly Took a Big Step Toward Semiconductor Self-Reliance
For years now, India has been talking about becoming self-sufficient in key technologies. But this time, it’s not just empty words. With the launch of DHRUV64, India has hit a significant milestone in its semiconductor journey—one that deserves more than just a glance at flashy specifications and benchmark figures.
This isn’t just another smartphone chip. It’s not designed to go head-to-head with Apple or Qualcomm. And that’s precisely what makes it so important.
Let’s dive into what Dhruv64 Processor truly signifies, why it was created, and how it aligns with India’s long-term aspirations in the chip industry.
Dhruv64 Processor: India’s First Fully Indigenous 64-bit Processor
India has officially unveiled DHRUV64, its first fully indigenous 1 GHz dual-core 64-bit processor. The chip has been designed by C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) under the Ministry of Electronics and IT—the same institution behind India’s legendary PARAM supercomputers.
This alone makes Dhruv64 Processor historic. It proves that India can design complex processors entirely on its own, from architecture decisions to system-level integration.
Core Technical Highlights
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Architecture: RISC-V (open-source instruction set)
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Processor Type: 64-bit dual-core
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Clock Speed: 1 GHz
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Fabrication Node: 28 nm
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Software Support: Linux-based operating systems and RTOS
While these numbers may look modest in a world obsessed with 3 nm chips, context matters—and Dhruv64 Processor was built with a very different goal in mind.
Why Dhruv64 Is Not for Smartphones or Laptops
A common question is obvious: Why not use this chip in phones or PCs?
The honest answer is simple. Dhruv64’s architecture is comparable to technology from 15–20 years ago in consumer terms. Competing in smartphones would require bleeding-edge nodes, massive private investment, and global supply chain dominance.
Instead, Dhruv64 Processor is aimed at where control, reliability, and security matter more than raw performance.
Target Use Cases That Actually Matter
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5G and Telecommunications: Core network equipment where trust and stability are critical
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Automotive & Industrial Systems: ECUs, industrial automation, IoT, and smart manufacturing
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National Security: Secure government communication devices where foreign backdoors are unacceptable
In these sectors, using in-house hardware and software isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
India’s Fabrication Reality: Step-by-Step, Not Shortcut Thinking
Right now, India’s domestic fabrication capability stands at 180 nm, which explains why Dhruv64’s design node matters so much.
The Gujarat Semiconductor Bet
A Tata–PSMC joint venture fab is under construction in Gujarat. Once operational—potentially by 2026—India will be able to fabricate 28 nm chips domestically, including processors like Dhruv64.
This is a realistic, grounded strategy.
While the world races at 3 nm, India is choosing to build capability layer by layer. The belief is that what took other countries decades can be executed faster in India due to modern tooling, policy support, and focused execution.
The Road Ahead: Dhanush, Aum, and the 2030 Vision
Dhruv64 Processor is not the finish line. It’s the proof-of-work.
What’s Coming Next
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Dhanush: 1.2 GHz quad-core processor (28 nm)
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Dhanush+: 2 GHz quad-core chip planned for the 14–16 nm range
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Aum (HPC Chip): A high-performance computing processor based on ARM, targeting 5 nm, to be fabricated by TSMC
The Big Goal
By 2030, India aims to design—and potentially fabricate—3 nm chips in-house. It’s an ambitious target, but Dhruv64 shows that the foundation is finally being laid.
India’s Quiet Chip Legacy You Probably Forgot About
Dhruv64 didn’t appear out of nowhere. India already has several specialized processors in active use:
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Shakti (IIT Madras, 2018): Strategic space and defense systems
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Ajit (IIT Bombay, 2018): Industrial and robotics applications
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Vikram (ISRO): Space-grade chip built for extreme conditions
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Tejas (C-DAC): 180 nm processor used in industrial automation
Dhruv64 represents a clear evolution beyond these earlier efforts, especially in terms of general-purpose computing capability.
Geopolitics, EUV, and the Talent Advantage
Semiconductors are no longer just technology—they’re geopolitics.
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TSMC controls EUV manufacturing, maintaining an “N-1” policy where the most advanced tech stays within Taiwan.
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Even global powers rely on older-generation nodes for external fabs.
Despite this, India holds a powerful card.
The Talent Factor
Around 20% of the world’s chip design talent works in India, designing processors for global giants like Intel and Qualcomm. The challenge has never been skill—it has been ecosystem ownership.
Dhruv64 is a step toward changing that equal
Final Thoughts: Why Dhruv64 Truly Matters
Dhruv64 isn’t just about outpacing Apple Silicon or Snapdragon; it’s about showcasing what’s possible.
It demonstrates that India can:
– Create a fully functional 64-bit processor
– Align chip development with the nation’s priorities
– Establish a clear roadmap instead of just chasing the latest trends
Most importantly, Dhruv64 serves as a crucial stepping stone—a reliable and credible beginning toward achieving long-term self-reliance in both strategic and consumer electronics.
This is how genuine semiconductor journeys take shape. They start not with flashy announcements, but with solid foundations.
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