DRDO will lead a semiconductor and next-gen chips session at ESTIC 2026 in Delhi, highlighting indigenous chip design, AI hardware and defence technologies.
New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will lead a thematic session on Semiconductors and Next-Gen Chips at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2026), scheduled to take place at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from October 27 to 29, 2026. The conclave is being jointly organised by 12 ministries and departments under the guidance of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. The national initiative aims to advance the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 and strengthen self-reliance through science, technology and innovation. The DRDO-led session will bring together industry leaders, academicians, representatives of indigenous chip-development companies and defence electronics experts to discuss emerging semiconductor technologies and India’s domestic capabilities.
The programme will feature a keynote address by the Vice President and Managing Director of Micron India, followed by presentations from the CEOs of Bharat Semi and Netrasemi, and the Director of IIT Madras. Discussions will cover semiconductor technologies, purpose-built AI system-on-chips, intelligence at the silicon edge and the evolving microprocessor landscape.
Focus on Indigenous Semiconductor Capabilities
The session will facilitate discussions on semiconductor fabrication, chip design, AI computing, indigenous semiconductor platforms, research and development, and strategic and defence applications. According to DRDO, the initiative is expected to encourage stronger collaboration among industry, academia and strategic stakeholders, identify emerging technological opportunities and support the development of a robust domestic semiconductor ecosystem for critical and next-generation applications.
DRDO to Showcase Indigenous Defence Technologies
An outreach stall at ESTIC 2026 will showcase key initiatives, research programmes and technological achievements of the Ministry of Defence. The exhibition will feature indigenous technologies developed by DRDO laboratories, including advanced communication systems, quantum technology prototypes, extreme-cold-weather clothing, the PRABALA female full-body protector, passive and powered exoskeletons, portable hybrid energy management systems, high-power pulse laser diodes and scramjet engine technology. The exhibits will highlight ongoing efforts to strengthen indigenous research and development, promote technological self-reliance and address critical requirements across defence and other strategic sectors. The outreach initiative will also encourage collaboration among academic institutions, industries, start-ups and research organisations.
DRDO Leaders Highlight Strategic Importance of Semiconductors
Speaking at a curtain-raiser event organised by DRDO in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on October 13, Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Electronics and Communication Systems) Dr. B.K. Das highlighted the importance of semiconductors and next-generation chips for economic competitiveness, digital sovereignty and national security. He emphasised that developing a resilient, end-to-end microelectronics ecosystem is essential for telecommunications, automotive systems, industrial automation, AI hardware and strategic defence platforms as India advances towards Viksit Bharat.
Dr. Das also stressed the importance of strengthening domestic capabilities to protect the national economy from global supply-chain disruptions, geopolitical volatility and international technology export controls. He highlighted India’s ambition to emerge as a global semiconductor powerhouse, advancing strategic autonomy and high-value exports across the microelectronics value chain. Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Technology Management) Dr. Anupam Sharma highlighted the critical role of semiconductors in modern warfare, noting that these technologies are integral to virtually every aspect of military operations. He added that business in the semiconductor-related segment is expected to reach $200 billion by 2035.
Senior representatives from DRDO’s research and development ecosystem attended the event, including officials from the Directorate of Extramural Research and Intellectual Property Rights, Solid State Physics Laboratory, Electronics and Radar Development Establishment, and Combat Aircraft Systems Development and Integration Centre. Through its participation in ESTIC 2026, DRDO aims to highlight the strategic importance of indigenous semiconductor development and foster collaboration across India’s science, technology, manufacturing and defence sectors.
