India has taken another major step towards building a self-reliant semiconductor industry. The Government of India, under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), has approved 23 chip-design projects under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, marking a significant milestone for startups and MSMEs in the country’s semiconductor ecosystem.

These projects, led primarily by startups and smaller enterprises, aim to develop indigenous semiconductors and System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions for critical sectors such as surveillance, energy, networking, and consumer electronics. The move aligns with India’s ambition to become a global hub for semiconductor design and reduce its dependence on imports.

Strengthening India’s Chip Design Capabilities

According to MeitY, the approved projects are designed to create solutions for:

Smart surveillance systems (cameras and monitoring devices)

Energy management tools such as meters and sensors

Microprocessor Intellectual Properties (IPs)

Networking systems and advanced communication tools

To empower innovation, MeitY has also provided 72 companies with access to industry-grade Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, ensuring they can work with the same professional resources used by global chipmakers.

Vervesemi Microelectronics: A Key Player in India’s Semiconductor Revolution

Among the beneficiaries of the DLI Scheme is Vervesemi Microelectronics, a fabless semiconductor company founded in 2017. The company is also part of India’s Chips to Startup (C2S) programme, reinforcing its role in building next-generation chip solutions.

Vervesemi has built an impressive portfolio, including:

110+ semiconductor IPs

25 integrated circuit SKUs

10 patents and 5 trade secrets

Presence across five global foundries and 20+ technology nodes

Its solutions span diverse industries such as 5G, Wi-Fi 6/7, aerospace, defense, industrial automation, and smart energy systems.

Notably, Vervesemi became one of the first Indian companies to export semiconductor IPs globally, with its analog chain IPs already integrated into products of global manufacturers.

Upcoming Roadmap: Volume Production by 2026–27

Vervesemi is now preparing for volume production of ICs and SoCs by 2026–27 under both DLI and C2S programs. Some of the key upcoming projects include:

BLDC Controller ASIC (C2S Programme): Targeting motor applications such as fans and appliances, with samples expected in 2026.

Precision Motor-Control ASIC (DLI-backed): Designed for EVs, drones, and automation systems, with 2026 sampling.

Multifunction Data Acquisition ASIC: For space and avionics, with engineering samples due in 2026.

Weighing Scale & Bridge Sensor ASIC: Supporting weighing and Force Touch devices, expected by late 2025.

Smart Energy Metering ASIC: Offering Class 0.2S precision for ultra-accurate energy measurement, samples arriving by end-2025.

Intelligence Built Into Every Chip

Vervesemi integrates machine learning (ML) technology directly into its chip architecture, delivering:

Self-healing systems that adapt to failures

Fail-safe reliability for mission-critical operations

Adaptive calibration to improve long-term accuracy

Predictive diagnostics for real-time monitoring

Higher fabrication yields and efficiency

This unique approach allows Indian-designed chips to cater to aerospace, defense, industrial automation, and consumer electronics, while setting new global benchmarks.

India’s Semiconductor Vision

According to Smt. Sunita Verma, Group Coordinator (R&D) at MeitY, India is steadily progressing towards becoming a world leader in semiconductor design. She envisions a future where every device, from smartphones to IoT systems, could carry a “Designed-in-India” chip, symbolizing technological independence.

Adding to this, Rakesh Malik, Founder & CEO of Vervesemi, highlighted that these innovations will not only strengthen India’s import substitution strategy but also showcase the country’s ability to compete on the global semiconductor stage.

Meanwhile, Pratap Narayan Singh, Founder & CTO of Vervesemi, emphasized the company’s focus on advanced signal-chain design combined with ML-based features to ensure precision, efficiency, and resilience across industries.

Conclusion

The approval of 23 DLI-backed projects represents a pivotal moment for India’s semiconductor journey. With companies like Vervesemi leading the charge, the country is not only enabling homegrown innovation but also preparing to challenge global leaders in chip design.

As India works towards achieving its semiconductor self-reliance vision, these initiatives will accelerate the creation of cutting-edge, high-performance chips tailored for strategic sectors, consumer markets, and future technologies.

If successful, this could mark the beginning of a new era where the phrase “Designed in India” becomes a global standard in semiconductor excellence.

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