The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) took centre stage at the recently concluded Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Jointly organised by 12 ministries and departments under the guidance of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, the landmark event brought together global experts, policymakers, and innovators to ignite a new era of scientific leadership.
As a key organiser, DRDO spearheaded the high-profile thematic session on ‘Semiconductors & Next-Generation Chips’. Chaired by Distinguished Scientist and Director General (ECS) Dr B.K. Das, the session featured an expert panel including Distinguished Scientist and Director General Dr Sheena Rani. Discussions centred on purpose-built Artificial Intelligence (AI) System-on-Chips (SoCs), intelligence at the silicon edge, and the rapidly evolving microprocessor landscape, emphasising DRDO’s vital role in accelerating domestic chip design and fostering indigenous start-ups.
Cutting-Edge Innovations at the DRDO Outreach Stall
Visitors to the DRDO Outreach Stall witnessed a diverse showcase of homegrown technologies engineered to bolster national security and operational readiness. Highlights included:
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Advanced Defence Gear: The PRABALA female full-body protector, passive and powered exoskeletons, and extreme-cold-weather clothing.
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Sustainable & Quantum Systems: Portable hybrid energy management systems and Quantum Technology prototypes.
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High-Power Systems: High-power pulse laser diodes and scramjet engine technology.
Dominating the Semiconductor Domain
At the dedicated thematic exhibition, DRDO laboratories—notably the Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL)—displayed advanced capabilities across critical technology pillars:
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MMICs for Radar and Warfare: Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) and Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs) and Multi-Chip Modules (MCMs), serving as foundational building blocks for advanced radar and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems.
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IRFPAs as Tactical “Eyes”: Infrared Focal Plane Arrays (IRFPAs) spanning Short-Wave (SWIR), Mid-Wave (MWIR), and Long-Wave (LWIR) spectra, powering Imaging Infrared (IIR) seekers for precise target detection and tracking.
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Emerging Frontiers: Neuromorphic accelerators, Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs), and laser proximity sensors.
Paving the Way for Viksit Bharat
Semiconductor technology remains a non-negotiable anchor for national sovereignty, economic vitality, and digital security. Achieving long-term technological self-reliance requires comprehensive mastery across design, fabrication, testing, and industrial-scale production.
Through specialised foundries and institutions like SSPL, GAETEC, STARC, and SCL, India is steadily cementing its competencies in GaAs, GaN, MEMS, and silicon process technologies. As the nation marches toward the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, DRDO’s strategic advancements ensure that India’s defence platforms are powered by resilient, indigenous, and world-class silicon solutions.
