The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched the ‘Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge- Innovate Solutions for #Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The initiative aims to bolster innovation, research, and the startup ecosystem in India. This announcement is part of MeitY’s broader strategy that includes programs like the Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE) scheme and the establishment of Centres of Excellence in the Internet of Things (IoT) and FinTech domains.
The Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge: A Snapshot
The ‘Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge- Innovate Solutions for #Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ has been designed to encourage innovators, startups, and students to use microprocessors developed by IIT Madras and C-DAC. These microprocessors, named SHAKTI (32 bit) and VEGA (64 bit), were created under the Microprocessor Development Programme of MeitY using open source architecture.
Participants in the challenge are asked to experiment with these processors, using them as the basis for innovative and cost-effective tech products that address societal needs. Moreover, the challenge encourages the creation of a domestically-sourced ecosystem around these processors for designing complex technologies that meet both global and domestic demands.
Launched in August 2020, this challenge is set to span over a period of 10 months and will end in June 2021.
Why the Need for Swadeshi Compute Hardware?
Under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, there is an increasing demand for domestically manufactured compute hardware. Such hardware is integral in smart devices used across a wide range of areas, from public utility services like surveillance and environmental monitoring to everyday appliances such as smart fans and washing machines.
Furthermore, the penetration of smart electronics in strategic sectors like defence, space, and nuclear energy has amplified the importance of homegrown computer hardware. The urge for self-reliance in this domain is driven by factors such as dependence on external vendors, the need for rapid enhancements to match growing requirements, and paramount considerations of security.
Microprocessor Development Program: An Overview
The Microprocessor Development Program was sanctioned in August 2017 with a budget of Rs. 289.21 crore over four years for the program’s execution. This significant project was jointly carried out by C-DAC, IIT Madras, and IIT Bombay.
Developing an indigenous microprocessor is crucial for meeting domestic requirements, protecting the nation from future restrictions on critical technology transfers, and reducing foreign exchange expenditure. It also ensures lower costs for producing, maintaining, and upgrading electronic systems in India.
Microprocessors developed under this program include SHAKTI and VEGA, which are integrated circuits containing millions of transistors fused on a semiconductor chip. These microprocessors are present in most electronic devices, from household appliances to advanced supercomputers used in space stations.
The Role of Open Source Architecture
Open-source architecture was employed in the creation of these processors. This approach combines advances in design and technologies with practices from open-source projects. As the name suggests, the design is not restrictive, allowing for possible future modifications or additions for the benefit of end-users. It facilitates the integration of a wide range of technologies and components.
MyGov Portal: The Registration Platform
Registration for the ‘Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge’ was conducted through the MyGov portal. Launched by the Prime Minister of India in 2014, MyGov is a unique, first-of-its-kind participatory governance initiative that brings the government closer to citizens. It does so by offering an online platform that fosters the sharing of ideas and views between the common citizen, experts, and the government, with the ultimate aim of contributing to India’s social and economic transformation.
