How Odisha Became a Hub of Chip Innovation NIT Rourkela Leads the Way

India’s dream of becoming self-reliant in the semiconductor sector has taken a major step forward. The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, and Parala Maharaja Engineering College (PMEC), Berhampur, have successfully developed three indigenous semiconductor chips. These innovations were officially showcased at Semicon India 2025 in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the effort.

The Three Breakthrough Chips

The collaboration between NIT-R and PMEC resulted in three unique designs:

• Lightweight Encryption Core IC (NIT-R)
  Designed for IoT and healthcare devices, this chip delivers secure and energy-efficient data protection. Therefore, it ensures sensitive medical and industrial information remains safe.
• VG Amplifier & Sensor Circuit IC (NIT-R)
  Built for biomedical systems and renewable energy harvesting, this IC strengthens medical signals and supports efficient energy use. In fact, it can make healthcare devices more reliable.
• High-Performance Multiplier IC (PMEC)
  Developed with FPGA and ASIC technology, this chip enables hardware-based face recognition. Moreover, it is extremely useful for law enforcement, surveillance, and digital authentication.

Journey of Development

The project began in 2023 under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Although it is still midway, the achievements so far are remarkable. As a result, Odisha has emerged not only as a cultural hub but also as a new center of chip innovation.

Why It Matters for India

Semiconductors are the “brains” of modern electronics. Until now, India relied heavily on imports, which created supply chain risks. However, these indigenous chips reduce dependence on global suppliers.

• For Industry: Local production encourages Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• For Education: Students gain real-time exposure to advanced hardware design.
• For Security: Sensitive applications become safer with homegrown chips.

Future Plans

The institutes aim to design more advanced chips for industrial automation, healthcare, and consumer electronics. Moreover, partnerships with industry leaders are expected to expand. As a result, India will gradually move from a consumer to a global creator in chip technology.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the work of NIT Rourkela and PMEC proves that Indian institutes can lead in advanced research. Their chips not only empower India’s digital transformation but also inspire future innovators. This achievement is a major step toward semiconductor independence.