L&T Semiconductor Technologies (LTSCT), the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), and IIT Gandhinagar have joined forces to develop a fully indigenous secure integrated circuit (IC) chip, with an initial focus on powering electronic passports. Announced on Monday, this partnership aims to create a cutting-edge, homegrown solution with all intellectual properties (IPs) residing in India, reducing reliance on foreign technology in security-sensitive domains.
The collaboration brings together LTSCT’s industry expertise, C-DAC’s government-backed R&D capabilities, and IIT Gandhinagar’s academic excellence to build a robust ecosystem for secure IC design and development. The trio will focus on research, development, and commercialization of these chips, starting with e-passports, which are critical for secure digital identities. The secure IC solution is poised to set a new standard for India’s technological independence, ensuring that sensitive applications are designed and controlled domestically.
“This partnership is a blueprint for India’s technological future,” said Sandeep Kumar, Chief Executive of LTSCT. “By uniting industry, academia, and government, we’re building a secure semiconductor ecosystem that safeguards our IPs and drives innovation. This is a decisive step in the ‘Make in India’ journey, delivering solutions like secure e-passports that the world can trust.”
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The agreement includes the establishment of a dedicated research centre, with each partner committing targeted investments to accelerate product development and deployment. This initiative is expected to reduce India’s dependence on foreign technology providers, particularly in high-stakes areas like national security and digital infrastructure. Beyond e-passports, the secure IC solution lays the foundation for next-generation cryptographic products, with potential applications in other embedded secure systems, such as defense, banking, and critical infrastructure.
LTSCT, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the USD 30 billion Larsen & Toubro conglomerate, operates as a fabless global semiconductor product company, specializing in innovative solutions and comprehensive services. C-DAC, a premier R&D organization under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, brings expertise in advanced computing, while IIT Gandhinagar contributes cutting-edge research capabilities. Together, they aim to position India as a global leader in secure semiconductor technology.
This partnership marks a significant milestone in India’s quest for self-reliance in critical technologies. By fostering innovation and securing intellectual property within the country, the collaboration not only strengthens national security but also paves the way for India to compete on the global stage in semiconductor design and production.
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