UPSC Prelims 2026Question 79Science & Technology

Which of the following statements about DHRUV64 is/are correct?
1. It is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme with an overall aim to enable the creation of microprocessors for India.
2. It is India’s first homegrown 1-0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor.
Select the answer using the code given below:

Options

(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 and 2

Correct answer: c

Explanation

Correct Answer

(c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation of the Correct Answer

Both statements are correct.

Statement	Verdict	Explanation
1. It is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme with an overall aim to enable the creation of microprocessors for India.	Correct	DHRUV64 is the third chip fabricated under the Digital India RISC-V Programme, after THEJAS32 and THEJAS64.
2. It is India’s first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor.	Correct	DHRUV64 has been described as India’s first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor, designed by C-DAC.

The official PIB release states that DHRUV64 is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme and India’s first 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor. (Press Information Bureau)

Hence, the correct answer is (c) Both 1 and 2.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option	Combination	Verdict	Explanation
(a)	1 only	Incorrect	Statement 1 is correct, but Statement 2 is also correct.
(b)	2 only	Incorrect	Statement 2 is correct, but Statement 1 is also correct.
(c)	Both 1 and 2	Correct	Both statements correctly describe DHRUV64.
(d)	Neither 1 nor 2	Incorrect	Both statements are correct.

Relevant Supplementary Information

Table: DHRUV64 at a Glance

Parameter	Details
Name	DHRUV64
Developed by	Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, C-DAC
Programme	Digital India RISC-V Programme / Microprocessor Development Programme
Architecture	RISC-V based
Type	64-bit dual-core microprocessor
Clock Speed	1.0 GHz
Status	India’s first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor
Order under DIR-V fabrication	Third chip
Earlier DIR-V chips	THEJAS32 and THEJAS64
Broad Applications	Telecom, IoT, industrial automation, automotive electronics, strategic systems

Table: DIR-V Programme Chips

Chip	Position in DIR-V Fabrication Sequence	Broad Feature	Fabrication / Note
THEJAS32	First	32-bit chip	Fabricated in Malaysia
THEJAS64	Second	64-bit single-core chip	Fabricated at SCL Mohali
DHRUV64	Third	1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor	Most advanced among the three

THEJAS32 was the first India-designed DIR-V chip to be fabricated, THEJAS64 was the second, and DHRUV64 is the third.

Chip	Sequence under DIR-V	Broad Feature	Importance
THEJAS32	First	32-bit chip	Started fabrication journey under DIR-V
THEJAS64	Second	64-bit single-core chip	Advanced India’s indigenous RISC-V capability
DHRUV64	Third	1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor	Marks a major leap in performance and domestic design capability

Key Takeaways from the Tables

DHRUV64 = India’s first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor.
It was designed by C-DAC.
It is based on RISC-V architecture.
It is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme.
The sequence is: THEJAS32 → THEJAS64 → DHRUV64.

Point	Explanation
DHRUV64 is the key current fact	It is India’s first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor.
DIR-V sequence matters	The sequence is THEJAS32 → THEJAS64 → DHRUV64.
RISC-V is important	It is an open-standard architecture, helping India build sovereign processor capability.
C-DAC and IITs are key players	C-DAC developed VEGA/DHRUV64, while IIT Madras developed SHAKTI and IIT Bombay developed AJIT.
Chip design and chip fabrication are different	India may design chips domestically, while fabrication may happen domestically or abroad depending on capability.

Context and Current Relevance

DHRUV64 strengthens India’s push for semiconductor self-reliance and trusted domestic processor design.
It supports India’s larger goals under Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and the semiconductor ecosystem.
RISC-V is important because it is an open-standard instruction set architecture, allowing countries and companies to build processors without depending entirely on proprietary architectures.

Indigenous microprocessors are important for strategic autonomy, cybersecurity, defence electronics and critical digital infrastructure.
India’s semiconductor push now covers the full chain: design, fabrication, packaging, testing and electronics manufacturing.
DHRUV64 is significant because it moves India from basic processor design toward higher-performance domestic microprocessor capability.

Table: Important Indigenous Indian Microprocessors / Chips

Microprocessor / Chip	Developed By	Architecture / Type	Key Feature	Relevance
DHRUV64	C-DAC	RISC-V, 64-bit dual-core	India’s first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor	Important for indigenous semiconductor capability
THEJAS32	C-DAC	RISC-V, 32-bit	First chip fabricated under DIR-V programme	Early milestone in India’s RISC-V processor journey
THEJAS64	C-DAC	RISC-V, 64-bit single-core	Second chip fabricated under DIR-V programme	Intermediate milestone before DHRUV64
SHAKTI	IIT Madras	RISC-V processor family	Indigenous processor ecosystem with multiple variants	Used for academic, embedded and strategic applications
VEGA	C-DAC	RISC-V processor family	Indigenous processor family for embedded and IoT applications	Supports India’s microprocessor development efforts
AJIT	IIT Bombay	SPARC-based processor	India’s first indigenously developed processor from academia	Important older milestone in processor design

Table: Important Semiconductor / Electronics Initiatives in India

Initiative / Programme	Nodal Ministry / Institution	Purpose	Relevance
Digital India RISC-V Programme / DIR-V	Ministry of Electronics and IT	Build indigenous RISC-V microprocessors	Supports domestic processor design ecosystem
Microprocessor Development Programme	MeitY	Develop indigenous microprocessors	Reduces dependence on imported processors
India Semiconductor Mission	MeitY	Build semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem	Supports fabrication, design and packaging ecosystem
Design Linked Incentive Scheme	MeitY	Support semiconductor design companies	Encourages chip design start-ups and domestic IP
Production Linked Incentive for Electronics	MeitY	Boost electronics manufacturing	Strengthens electronics value chain
SPECS Scheme	MeitY	Promote manufacturing of electronic components and semiconductors	Supports domestic component ecosystem
Semicon India Programme	Government of India	Develop sustainable semiconductor ecosystem	Supports fabs, ATMP/OSAT units and chip design

Table: Commonly Confused Terms in Semiconductor Questions

Term	Meaning	Simple Understanding
Microprocessor	A central processing unit on a chip	The “brain” that processes instructions
Microcontroller	Processor plus memory and input-output units on one chip	Used in embedded devices and appliances
RISC-V	Open-standard instruction set architecture	Blueprint for designing processors
ISA	Instruction Set Architecture	Language between software and processor hardware
Fabrication	Manufacturing chips on semiconductor wafers	Physical making of the chip
Foundry	Facility that manufactures chips	Example: semiconductor fabrication plant
Fabless company	Designs chips but outsources manufacturing	Common model in chip design industry
ATMP / OSAT	Assembly, testing, marking and packaging	Post-fabrication processing of chips
Wafer	Thin slice of semiconductor material	Base material on which chips are built

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