The DRDO semiconductor session at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2026) will bring chipmakers, start-ups and academia onto one stage, with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) leading a thematic session on Semiconductors and Next-Gen Chips. The conclave runs at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from October 27 to 29.

DRDO held a curtain-raiser for the session in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

The conclave is being jointly organised by 12 ministries and departments under the guidance of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. According to the Ministry of Defence, it is aimed at advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 and building self-reliance through science, technology and innovation. The 2025 edition was held at the same venue in November last year, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it and launched the Rs 1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation Scheme Fund.

Micron India to give keynote at DRDO semiconductor session

The session will open with a keynote address by the Vice President and Managing Director of Micron India. It will be followed by talks from the Chief Executive Officer of Bharat Semi, the Chief Executive Officer of Netrasemi and the Director of IIT Madras.

Topics include semiconductor technologies, purpose-built AI system-on-chips, intelligence at the silicon edge and the microprocessor landscape.

Micron's semiconductor assembly, test and packaging facility at Sanand in Gujarat was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in February this year, according to the India Semiconductor Mission.

The ministry said speakers at the DRDO semiconductor session would hold a dialogue on semiconductor fabrication, chip design, AI computing, indigenous semiconductor platforms, research and development, and strategic and defence applications. The session is expected to build stronger links among industry, academia and strategic stakeholders, identify new technology opportunities and help develop a strong domestic semiconductor ecosystem. The emphasis, officials said, is on indigenous capability for critical and next-generation applications.

Chips central to economy and security, says DRDO Director General

Presiding over the curtain-raiser on Tuesday, Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Electronics and Communication Systems) Dr BK Das emphasised the importance of semiconductors and next-gen chips for economic competitiveness, digital sovereignty and national security, the Ministry of Defence said.

He said an end-to-end, resilient microelectronics ecosystem is essential to power telecommunications, automotive systems, industrial automation, AI hardware and strategic defence platforms.

Domestic capability seen as protection against supply shocks

Dr Das added that stronger domestic capability is key to protecting the national economy from global supply-chain disruptions, geopolitical volatility and international technology export controls. He said India aims to emerge as a global semiconductor powerhouse, with strategic autonomy and high-value exports across the microelectronics value chain.

The directors of the Directorate of Extramural Research and Intellectual Property Rights, the Solid State Physics Laboratory and the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment attended the event, along with the centre head of the Combat Aircraft Systems Development and Integration Centre.

DRDO stall to display quantum prototypes and scramjet technology

An outreach stall at ESTIC-2026 will showcase the ministry's key initiatives, research programmes and achievements in science and technology.

It will feature indigenous technologies developed by DRDO laboratories. These 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.

The exhibits are meant to highlight work on indigenous research and development and to address requirements in defence and other strategic sectors, according to DRDO. The stall will also encourage collaboration among academia, industry, start-ups and research institutions, a theme DRDO pressed at its Industry Synergy Meet in New Delhi last month.

Semiconductor business expected to touch 200 billion dollars by 2035

Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Technology Management) Dr Anupam Sharma said semiconductors are integral to virtually every aspect of military operations.

He added that semiconductor-related business is expected to reach 200 billion dollars by 2035.