DRDO to Lead Semiconductor and Next-Generation Chips Session at ESTIC 2026.
Semiconductor packaging. (Representational image).
India DRDO military semiconductor manufacturing: India’s push to become a global semiconductor powerhouse is gaining momentum, with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) set to lead a dedicated session on semiconductors and next-generation chips at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2026). The event, scheduled to take place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from 27 to 29 October 2026, will bring together experts from industry, academia, chip development and defence electronics to examine the technologies that will shape India’s digital and strategic future.
The initiative comes at a time when semiconductors have become central to economic competitiveness, artificial intelligence (AI), telecommunications, industrial development and national security. For India, building domestic capabilities in chip design, manufacturing and advanced electronics is not simply a technological ambition. It is also an effort to reduce dependence on foreign supply chains and strengthen strategic autonomy.
Why semiconductors are critical to India’s future
Semiconductors are materials whose electrical conductivity can be controlled. They form the foundation of modern electronic devices, enabling chips to process information, store data, manage power and control complex systems.
From smartphones and computers to cars, satellites, radar systems and AI infrastructure, semiconductors are embedded in a wide range of technologies. Their importance extends to defence equipment, where reliable and secure electronic components can determine the performance of communication networks, surveillance systems, navigation equipment and advanced weapons platforms.
The global semiconductor industry has also become a strategic arena because chip production depends on specialised manufacturing facilities, advanced equipment, technical expertise and internationally connected supply chains. Disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions or production shortages can affect industries across the world.
For India, developing stronger domestic capabilities could help reduce these vulnerabilities while creating opportunities for research, manufacturing, high-skilled employment and exports.
DRDO to Spotlight Next-Generation Chips at ESTIC 2026 as India Pushes for Semiconductor Self-Reliance.
What DRDO’s session at ESTIC 2026 will cover
The DRDO-led thematic session will focus on semiconductors and next-generation chips, bringing together specialists with experience in commercial chip development, academic research and strategic electronics.
According to the announcement issued by the Press Information Bureau on 13 October, the session will begin with a keynote address by the vice-president and managing director of Micron India. This will be followed by presentations from the chief executives of Bharat Semi and Netrasemi, along with the director of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
The discussions will explore developments in semiconductor technologies, purpose-built AI system-on-chips, intelligence at the silicon edge and the changing microprocessor landscape.
These subjects reflect the expanding role of chips in modern computing. A system-on-chip, or SoC, integrates several computing components into a single piece of silicon. Depending on its design, it can combine processing, memory management, communications and specialised functions, making it useful for applications ranging from consumer electronics to industrial equipment.
Meanwhile, edge computing involves processing information close to where it is generated rather than sending everything to a distant data centre. When AI capabilities are built into edge devices, they can help systems analyse information locally, potentially improving response times and reducing dependence on continuous cloud connectivity.
Such capabilities are relevant to defence platforms, autonomous systems, industrial automation and other applications where speed, reliability and efficient power consumption matter.
Semiconductor packaging. (Representational image).
Connecting research, industry and defence
One of the principal objectives of the session is to strengthen cooperation between industry, academia, research institutions and strategic stakeholders.
Semiconductor development requires expertise across several stages, including chip architecture, electronic design, fabrication, testing, packaging and integration into finished products. Progress in one area does not automatically guarantee success across the entire value chain.
India therefore needs coordination between researchers developing new technologies, companies turning designs into commercial products, manufacturers building production capacity and strategic organisations identifying specialised requirements.
DRDO’s participation provides a defence-oriented perspective to these discussions. Military systems often require components that can operate reliably under demanding environmental conditions and meet stringent requirements for security, durability and performance.
Developing indigenous chip technologies for such applications could give India greater control over critical components. However, achieving this requires sustained investment, specialised skills, reliable manufacturing capacity and close collaboration between public and private institutions.
The session is expected to identify emerging technological opportunities and encourage partnerships that can help build a stronger domestic semiconductor ecosystem.
Why next-generation chips matter for national security
At a curtain-raiser event organised by DRDO in Bengaluru on 13 October, Dr BK Das, Distinguished Scientist and Director General of Electronics and Communication Systems, emphasised the importance of semiconductors for economic competitiveness, digital sovereignty and national security.
He highlighted the need for an end-to-end and resilient microelectronics ecosystem capable of supporting telecommunications, automotive systems, industrial automation, AI hardware and strategic defence platforms.
The broader concern is that excessive dependence on overseas suppliers can expose critical sectors to supply-chain disruptions and international technology export controls. Domestic capabilities can provide greater flexibility, although self-reliance does not necessarily mean eliminating all international partnerships or imports.
Dr Das also linked semiconductor development to India’s ambition to emerge as a global industry leader, with stronger strategic autonomy and higher-value exports across the microelectronics value chain.
Dr Anupam Sharma, Distinguished Scientist and Director General of Technology Management, highlighted the importance of semiconductors in modern warfare. He noted that these technologies are integral to virtually every aspect of military operations and stated that business in the semiconductor-related segment is expected to reach $200 billion by 2035.
The projection underlines the scale of the opportunity, although the announcement does not specify the precise market segment covered by that estimate.
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DRDO to showcase indigenous technologies
Beyond the semiconductor session, DRDO’s outreach stall at ESTIC 2026 will display technologies developed by its laboratories, illustrating the organisation’s wider research and development activities.
The exhibits will include 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.
These technologies address different operational challenges, from protecting personnel in harsh environments to improving energy management, communications and advanced propulsion.
Their presence at the conclave is intended to demonstrate how indigenous research can support defence requirements and other strategic sectors. The stall will also provide opportunities for interaction among start-ups, industry representatives, academic institutions and researchers.
ESTIC 2026 and the road towards Viksit Bharat
ESTIC 2026 is being organised jointly by 12 ministries and departments under the guidance of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. The conclave forms part of the national effort to advance the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 through science, technology and innovation.
The DRDO-led session places semiconductor development within this wider ambition. Its success will ultimately depend not only on discussions and partnerships, but also on the ability to translate research into commercially viable technologies and reliable domestic production.
Building a competitive semiconductor ecosystem is a complex, long-term undertaking. It requires investment, skilled professionals, advanced infrastructure, strong intellectual property capabilities and collaboration across multiple sectors.
For India, the strategic stakes are particularly high. Stronger chip capabilities could support emerging industries, improve the resilience of critical infrastructure and strengthen the technological foundations of national defence.
ESTIC 2026 will provide a platform to advance that conversation. The larger challenge will be turning these ambitions into sustained progress across the semiconductor value chain.
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