The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) will lead a thematic session on 'Semiconductors and Next-Gen Chips' during the Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2026) scheduled from October 27 to 29, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The conclave is jointly organized by 12 ministries/departments under the guidance of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India as part of the Viksit Bharat @ 2047 initiative.
The DRDO session will feature industry leaders including the VP & MD of Micron India, CEOs of Bharat Semi and Netrasemi, and the Director of IIT Madras. Discussions will focus on semiconductor technologies, purpose-built AI system-on-chips, intelligence at the silicon edge, and the evolving microprocessor landscape. The session aims to foster collaboration among industry, academia, and strategic stakeholders to develop a robust domestic semiconductor ecosystem with emphasis on indigenous capabilities for critical applications.
At the ESTIC 2026 Outreach Stall, DRDO will showcase indigenous technologies including advanced communication systems, quantum technology prototypes, extreme-cold-weather clothing, PRABALA female full-body protector, passive and powered exoskeletons, portable hybrid energy management systems, high-power pulse laser diodes, and scramjet engine technology.
During the curtain-raiser event in Bengaluru on October 13, 2026, Dr BK Das, Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Electronics and Communication Systems), emphasized the critical importance of semiconductors for economic competitiveness, digital sovereignty, and national security. He stressed the need for an end-to-end microelectronics ecosystem to power telecommunications, automotive systems, industrial automation, AI hardware, and defence platforms.
Dr Anupam Sharma, Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Technology Management), highlighted semiconductors' integral role in modern warfare and projected that business in the semiconductor-related segment is expected to reach $200 billion by 2035. Both officials emphasized the need to protect the national economy from global supply-chain disruptions and geopolitical volatility while advancing India's position as a global semiconductor powerhouse.