Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Program

Context:

Recently, the Union Minister of Electronics & IT addressed the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Symposium organized by IIT Madras in Chennai.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimension of this Article:

1. Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Program
2. Unveiling RISC-V
3. Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)

Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Program

• The Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Program stands as a visionary initiative aimed at elevating India’s semiconductor ecosystem to new heights.
• With a primary focus on cultivating homegrown innovation in the microprocessor domain, DIR-V sets the stage for self-reliance and technological advancement.
• Guided by the pillars of innovation, functionality, and performance, the program charts a course toward the future. Here’s an overview of this transformative endeavor:

Program Objectives:

• Empowering Indigenous Innovation: At its core, the DIR-V Program seeks to empower India’s semiconductor capabilities, nurturing the development of cutting-edge microprocessors within the country.
• Foundation for Self-Reliance: A pivotal goal of DIR-V is to establish a solid foundation for self-reliance in microprocessor technology, reducing dependence on external sources.

Navigating Complex Digital Realities:

• Addressing Silicon Chip Demand: Acknowledging the escalating demand for silicon chips in the digital era, DIR-V is poised to address the critical need for high-quality microprocessors.
• Anticipating Technological Shifts: As emerging technologies like 5G and 6G reshape the digital landscape, DIR-V foresees diverse applications across cloud services, Internet of Things (IoT), sensors, and more.

Integral Role in High-Performance Computing:

• Strategic Centralization: DIR-V strategically positions itself at the core of India’s ambitious high-performance computing aspirations, contributing to the advancement of computational capabilities.
• Synergistic Collaborations: Through strategic collaborations, including partnerships with esteemed institutions like the Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), DIR-V plays a pivotal role in realizing these ambitious objectives.

Unveiling RISC-V:

• RISC-V is an open-source hardware Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) denoting “reduced instruction set computer” and the 5th generation (V).
• It empowers the development of custom processors catering to diverse applications, expediting time to market and software development.
• RISC-V processors find applications in wearables, IoT, smartphones, aerospace, and more, offering efficiency, customization, and security.

Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC):

• C-DAC, a pioneering R&D institution under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), specializes in IT and Electronics.
• Established in 1988, C-DAC played a crucial role in developing India’s first supercomputers.
• Its continuous innovation and expertise deployment align with India’s IT revolution, fostering IT products and solutions in line with national policies and market demands.

-Source: The Hindu