Gajendra Singh Godara
Sep 9, 2025
8
mins read
Vikram 3201 is India’s first fully indigenized 32-bit space-grade microprocessor, developed by Indian Space Research Organisation’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in collaboration with the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL). Unveiled in Sept 2025 at Semicon India, it exemplifies India’s push for Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) technology.
Designed for the harsh conditions of rocket launch vehicles (–55°C to +125°C), Vikram 3201 will handle navigation and mission control on ISRO rockets.
At the Semicon India 2025 conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented the Vikram 3201 microprocessor – “the nation’s first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor” designed for launch vehicles.
This event was reported as a major milestone in India’s semiconductor self-reliance push. The unveiling coincided with news that India has approved new semiconductor projects (~₹1.6 lakh crore investment) under the India Semiconductor Mission.
Image Credit: Hindustan Times
For more updates on semiconductors read our blog :
India Semiconductor Mission: 4 New Semiconductor Projects Launched
Table of content
Vikram Series: India’s indigenous Vikram line began with Vikram 1601, a 16-bit microprocessor used in ISRO launch vehicles since 2009. Vikram 3201 is its upgraded 32-bit successor. (Both are named after space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai.)
Developers: The chip was designed by ISRO’s VSSC and fabricated by SCL Chandigarh. Kalpana 3201, a 32-bit SPARC-based microprocessor for satellites, was also introduced alongside Vikram 3201.
Testing & Validation: Initial batches of Vikram 3201 were space-validated during the PSLV-C60 (SpaDeX) mission in 2025. Onboard the POEM-4 module, it proved reliable in orbit.
Table – Vikram 1601 vs Vikram 3201
Feature | Vikram 1601 | Vikram 3201 |
Launch Year | 2009 (in use) | 2025 (unveiled) |
Architecture | 16-bit | 32-bit (with 64-bit float) |
Developer | VSSC-SCL (India) | VSSC-SCL (India) |
Purpose | Rocket avionics | Launch vehicle navigation/control |
Temperature Range | (military-grade) | –55°C to +125°C (space-grade) |
Instruction Set | Fixed-point only | + Floating-point, Ada support |
Bus Interface | — | Dual 1553B avionics buses |
Fabrication Process | — | 180 nm CMOS (SCL Mohali) |
Purpose in launch vehicles: Handles real time navigation, guidance, control, and mission management, executing split second calculations to keep rockets stable and on course.
Space Grade Robusters: Built and tested to military grade standards to operate reliably under extreme heat, cold, vibration, and radiation typical of launch and space environments.
Wide operating procedure: Qualified to function from -55 degrees to +125 degrees Celsius, ensuring dependable performance across the full thermal envelope of space missions.
Advanced compute and interfaces: Adds 64-bit floating‑point support for high‑precision calculations, Ada language compatibility for safety‑critical software, and on‑chip MIL‑STD‑1553B bus interfaces for robust in‑mission communication.
Memory and complexity handling: Designed to address substantial memory and execute complex instruction sequences required for satellite launches and other spaceflight operations.
Strategic Sectors: Its rugged reliability opens doors for defence, aerospace, automotive, and energy applications requiring high dependability.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: Symbolizes India’s drive for self-reliance. Instead of importing space-rated processors, India now designs and builds domestically. This reduces foreign dependence in a sensitive tech domain (space) and can spur a local chip ecosystem.
Economic Impact: Comes alongside a broader semiconductor push. The government reports new semiconductor projects (Fab, ATMP, design) totaling ~₹1.6 lakh crore. Vikram 3201 showcases that home-grown R&D (ISRO) is translating into industrial outcomes.
Global Context: While Vikram 3201 is aligned with established international practice (e.g., NASA’s RAD750, Europe’s LEON are also 32-bit legacy chips), it puts India “in the same league” for space-grade chips. However, major powers are now moving to faster 64-bit and AI-enabled space processors – a challenge/opportunity for India.
Semicon India Programme (ISM): Launched in 2021 (₹76,000 Cr), the ISM spearheads India’s chip ecosystem. Under its umbrella:
Scheme for Semiconductor & Display Fabs, Package Testing, Chip design, etc.
Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme supports chip startups – 23 startups (so far) have been backed.
New Projects: In mid-2025, Cabinet approved 4 new semiconductor projects (Odisha, Punjab, AP), taking the total to 10 projects with ~₹1.6L Cr investment. These include fabs and ATMP units by Micron, Tata, others, indicating heavy state-led investment.
Skill & R&D: Semicon India conferences (like Semicon India 2025) facilitate global partnerships, research commercialization and workforce development.
Policy Support: ISM is housed under MeitY (with expert advisory) and has authority to swiftly approve projects. This high-level focus is why Vikram3201’s development was possible within a few years.
Theme: Building the Next Semiconductor Powerhouse.
Program Focus: Led under the India Semiconductor Mission, the Semicon India programme showcases India’s expanding strengths across chip design, advanced packaging, and fabrication, while signalling policy continuity and scale-up.
Ecosystem Building: The platform catalyzes global partnerships, research-to-market pathways, and workforce development, strengthening India’s integration into the global semiconductor value chain and accelerating domestic capability growth.
Technology Gap: Vikram 3201 uses a 180 nm chip process. Global state-of-art for consumer chips is sub-10 nm, and space agencies are already prototyping 64-bit multicore chips (e.g., NASA’s HPSC, Europe’s NOEL-V). India will need continuous R&D to bridge this gap.
Manufacturing Scale: India still lacks large-scale fabs (most advanced is 90 nm by Intel in the 2010s). Moving from lab chips to large-volume manufacturing of advanced nodes is a big hurdle.
Ecosystem & Talent: Designing space-grade chips requires specialized talent (electronics, radiation-hardened design). Expanding higher education and skilling in VLSI design is needed. Government incubation and global partnerships are steps in this direction.
Global Competition & Security: Reliance on older nodes ensures radiation resilience, but it may limit performance. India must balance innovation with reliability. Meanwhile, global tensions and supply chains (e.g., CHIPS Act, QUAD initiatives) mean India must secure partnerships to source raw materials.
Way Forward: The success of Vikram 3201 builds confidence. Future prospects include:
Iterations on Vikram (e.g., 64-bit versions).
Applying Vikram-style chips to satellites (Kalpana 3201) and even civilian industries.
Leveraging ISRO’s network to spin off semiconductor startups.
Q1. What is Vikram 3201?
A. India’s first fully indigenous 32-bit space-grade microprocessor, developed by ISRO for rocket navigation and control.
Q2. Who developed Vikram 3201 and where?
A. It was designed by ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and fabricated at ISRO’s Semiconductor Laboratory in Mohali.
Q3. Why is Vikram 3201 significant?
A. It enables Atmanirbhar Bharat in critical tech by replacing imported chips for launch vehicles – a major step in India’s chip self-reliance.
Q4. How does Vikram 3201 differ from Vikram 1601?
A. Vikram 3201 is a 32-bit upgrade (supports floating-point, Ada language, 1553B bus) over the 16-bit Vikram 1601 that powered rockets since 2009.
Q5. In which mission was Vikram 3201 validated?A. Its first batch was space-tested on the PSLV-C60 (SpaDeX) mission in 2025, powering the PSLV Orbital Experiment Module.
The unveiling of Vikram 3201 marks a watershed in India’s science and technology narrative. It shows India moving from consumer to creator of space-grade chips. Looking ahead, continued investment (via ISM, DLI, etc.) and global collaboration will determine how India scales up from this point. The journey of Vikram 3201 should motivate aspirants: strategic tech initiatives backed by strong policy can rapidly elevate India’s capabilities. Aspirants should note this topic in their revision notes under “Atmanirbhar Bharat – Space Tech”, reflecting on both its success and the road ahead.
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