Abstract

India is significantly accelerating its commitment to the RISC-V architecture through a strategic "dual track" development approach. This strategy involves parallel efforts by the government-backed Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) focusing on foundational research and national projects. Simultaneously, the nation is fostering a vibrant commercial ecosystem driven by private startup companies dedicated to market-ready silicon and specialized IP development.

Report

RISC-V Development in India: Dual Track Strategy

Key Highlights

• Dual Development Tracks: India is actively fostering RISC-V adoption through two distinct, parallel avenues: public sector R&D and private commercial enterprise.
• C-DAC Leadership: The government track is spearheaded by C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing), focusing on indigenous core development, foundational research, and strategic/national computing requirements.
• Startup Silicon Focus: The commercial track supports private Indian startups, encouraging rapid innovation, commercialization, and specialized silicon design aimed at market needs (e.g., IoT, edge computing).
• Strategic Commitment: This initiative underscores a strong national commitment to building technological self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in crucial semiconductor intellectual property (IP).

Technical Details

• Core Architecture Focus: While specific core specs were not detailed, C-DAC's involvement often points towards the development of high-performance cores suitable for server applications or specialized processors for defense and high-performance computing (HPC).
• Ecosystem Building: The effort extends beyond just processor cores to include fostering a complete ecosystem of tools, compilers, simulators, and support for hardware/software co-design.
• Target Applications: Startups are focused on optimizing RISC-V implementations for power efficiency and specialization, addressing growing markets like intelligent sensor networks, automotive, and industrial control systems.

Implications

• Accelerated Adoption: The simultaneous push from both governmental and commercial sectors ensures broad and rapid adoption of RISC-V across various segments of the Indian economy.
• Reduced Dependency: This dual strategy is crucial for reducing reliance on proprietary foreign IP (like Arm), enhancing national security, and securing domestic control over processor design.
• Global Ecosystem Contribution: By investing heavily in foundational design and open standards, India solidifies its position as a major contributor and hub for the global RISC-V community.
• Funding and Stability: Government backing through C-DAC provides long-term stability and funding for complex, foundational research projects, while startup involvement ensures agility and market responsiveness.