New Delhi — India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will lead a session on semiconductors and next-generation chips at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2026), scheduled for October 27-29 in New Delhi, the Defence Ministry announced Tuesday.
The three-day conference, jointly organized by 12 government ministries under the guidance of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, aims to strengthen the country’s technological capabilities and promote self-reliance through scientific research and innovation.
DRDO’s session, titled “Semiconductors and Next-Gen Chips,” will bring together executives, researchers, academics and defense electronics specialists to examine advances in semiconductor manufacturing, chip design and artificial intelligence hardware.
The program 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 the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
Discussions will focus on semiconductor fabrication, AI-focused system-on-chips, edge computing, microprocessor development and domestic semiconductor platforms. Participants will also examine potential applications in defense systems and other strategically important industries.
According to the ministry, the session is intended to encourage collaboration among companies, universities and research institutions while identifying opportunities to expand India’s semiconductor industry.
The conference will also feature a Defence Ministry exhibition highlighting technologies developed by DRDO laboratories and other government research programs.
Exhibits will include advanced communication systems, quantum technology prototypes, extreme-cold-weather clothing, the PRABALA full-body protective system for women, passive and powered exoskeletons, portable hybrid energy management systems, high-power pulsed laser diodes and scramjet engine technology.
The ministry said the exhibition will demonstrate India’s progress in developing domestic technologies for defense and other strategic applications while encouraging partnerships with startups, research institutions and private industry.
Speaking at a preview event organized by DRDO in Bengaluru on Tuesday, B.K. Das, director general of Electronics and Communication Systems, emphasized the importance of semiconductor technology to India’s economic competitiveness, digital sovereignty and national security.
Das said developing a resilient domestic microelectronics ecosystem would be essential for supporting telecommunications, automotive systems, industrial automation, AI hardware and advanced defense platforms.
He also highlighted the government’s broader objective of building technological self-reliance as part of its Viksit Bharat initiative, which seeks to transform India into a developed nation.
Anupam Sharma, distinguished scientist and director general of Technology Management at DRDO, underscored the growing importance of semiconductor technology in modern warfare.
Sharma said semiconductors are integral to virtually every aspect of military operations, making domestic chip development increasingly important for national defense.
He also projected that business activity in the semiconductor-related sector could reach $200 billion by 2035, highlighting the economic opportunities associated with expanding India’s semiconductor capabilities. (Source: IANS)
