Author – Ritesh Ranjan: India’s ambition to become a global semiconductor powerhouse will take another important step forward with the third edition of the Digital India RISC-V Symposium. IIT Madras is set to host the DIR-V Symposium 2026 on 1 and 2 August 2026 at the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai.
Organised in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, and RISC-V International, the two-day event will bring together representatives from government, academia, research institutions, startups and major technology companies.
Built around the theme “Empowering Bharat’s Semiconductor Future,” the symposium aims to strengthen India’s capabilities in indigenous processor development, semiconductor design, secure computing and open-source hardware innovation.
Registrations for the event are open until 28 July 2026 through the official DIR-V Symposium website.
A Strategic Platform for India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem
Semiconductors have become essential to almost every part of the modern economy. They power smartphones, computers, communication networks, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence systems, medical equipment, defence platforms and data centres.
As global demand for advanced chips continues to grow, countries are working to secure their semiconductor supply chains and reduce dependence on imported technologies. India is also investing in semiconductor design, manufacturing, research and workforce development to establish itself as a trusted global technology hub.
The DIR-V Symposium serves as an important platform for turning these national ambitions into practical collaboration. It connects policymakers, researchers, engineers, startups and established businesses working on different parts of the semiconductor ecosystem.
By bringing these stakeholders together, the event encourages the exchange of technical knowledge, new research partnerships, startup opportunities and industry-led innovation.
Understanding the Importance of RISC-V
A major focus of the DIR-V Symposium 2026 will be the rapidly growing RISC-V ecosystem.
RISC-V is an open-standard instruction set architecture used to design processors. Unlike proprietary processor architectures, RISC-V provides organisations with greater freedom to develop customised processors for different applications.
This flexibility is particularly valuable for countries and companies seeking to create secure, cost-effective and locally designed computing systems. Processors based on RISC-V can be developed for applications ranging from embedded devices and industrial automation to artificial intelligence, automotive electronics and high-performance computing.
For India, the architecture offers an opportunity to strengthen indigenous processor development while reducing complete dependence on closed and proprietary technologies.
The symposium will explore how RISC-V can support India’s long-term goals in semiconductor innovation, secure digital infrastructure and technology self-reliance.
Focus Areas of the DIR-V Symposium 2026
The programme will cover several areas that are central to India’s emerging semiconductor industry.
Discussions will focus on the development of indigenous processors and the creation of secure computing platforms for critical sectors. Participants will also examine advances in hardware design, embedded systems, artificial intelligence hardware and cybersecurity.
Another major area of attention will be the commercial growth of RISC-V technologies. Startups and technology companies will have opportunities to demonstrate how open processor architectures can be converted into practical products and services.
The symposium is expected to encourage collaboration between researchers developing new technologies and businesses capable of taking those innovations to the market.
What Participants Can Expect
The two-day programme has been designed to combine technical learning, policy discussions, technology demonstrations and professional networking.
Participants will be able to attend keynote addresses delivered by experts from government, academia and the semiconductor industry. Technical sessions and panel discussions will examine the latest developments in processor architecture, chip design, secure systems and open hardware.
Hands-on workshops will give students, engineers and developers an opportunity to gain practical exposure to RISC-V tools and technologies. Exhibitions and live demonstrations will allow organisations to present processors, hardware platforms, embedded systems and other semiconductor-related innovations.
The event will also feature startup showcases highlighting emerging companies working in deep technology, processor design, artificial intelligence hardware and cybersecurity.
Networking sessions will enable participants to interact directly with representatives from IIT Madras, MeitY, RISC-V International and organisations operating across India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
DIR-V Grand Challenge Hackathon
One of the main attractions of the DIR-V Symposium 2026 will be the DIR-V Grand Challenge Hackathon.
The hackathon will showcase innovative solutions created by students and startups using RISC-V technologies. It will provide young innovators with a platform to demonstrate their technical abilities, develop practical hardware solutions and connect with experts and potential industry partners.
For engineering students, researchers and aspiring entrepreneurs, the competition offers an opportunity to understand how processor technologies can be applied to real-world challenges.
The hackathon also reflects the symposium’s broader objective of developing a strong talent pipeline for India’s semiconductor sector. Encouraging students to work with open processor architectures can help create a new generation of engineers with experience in chip design, embedded systems and advanced hardware development.
IIT Madras and Indigenous Processor Development
IIT Madras has played a pioneering role in India’s efforts to develop indigenous computing and processor technologies.
According to Professor V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, the DIR-V Symposium was created to bring together the complete semiconductor ecosystem, including government agencies, industries, academic institutions, researchers and startups.
He emphasised that India possesses the intellectual capital and innovation ecosystem required to become a global leader in semiconductor technologies.
Through research, education, industry partnerships and startup support, IIT Madras continues to contribute to processor development and deep-technology innovation. Hosting the DIR-V Symposium further strengthens the institution’s position as a major contributor to India’s semiconductor mission.
Opportunities for Students and Startups
The symposium is particularly relevant for students, researchers, developers and entrepreneurs interested in entering the semiconductor and deep-technology sectors.
Students will be able to learn directly from specialists working in processor design, hardware engineering and secure computing. Workshops and technical sessions can help them understand the skills required for careers in the semiconductor industry.
Startups will have the opportunity to display their technologies, interact with investors and industry leaders, and explore potential partnerships. The event can also help young companies understand government initiatives and identify emerging opportunities within India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
As the country expands its capabilities in chip design and electronics manufacturing, the demand for professionals with specialised semiconductor skills is expected to increase. Events such as the DIR-V Symposium can help connect talent with institutions and companies seeking trained engineers and researchers.
Why the DIR-V Symposium Matters for India
India’s semiconductor strategy is not limited to manufacturing chips. It also involves building expertise in processor design, intellectual property, research, testing, packaging, electronics systems and workforce development.
The DIR-V Symposium supports this broader vision by creating a common platform for collaboration.
Open standards such as RISC-V can enable Indian institutions and companies to design processors suited to domestic requirements. These may include processors for secure government systems, defence applications, industrial equipment, consumer electronics, automotive technologies and artificial intelligence platforms.
Collaboration between academia, government and industry is essential for transforming research projects into commercially viable technologies. The symposium can contribute to this process by helping participants identify shared challenges, exchange ideas and establish long-term partnerships.
A Meeting Point for India’s Technology Future
The DIR-V Symposium 2026 is more than a conventional technology conference. It represents a strategic meeting point for the people and organisations shaping India’s semiconductor future.
Through technical sessions, workshops, startup showcases, live demonstrations and the Grand Challenge Hackathon, the event will highlight both India’s existing capabilities and the opportunities that lie ahead.
By promoting open collaboration around RISC-V and indigenous processor technologies, IIT Madras, MeitY and RISC-V International are helping create a foundation for secure, locally developed and globally competitive computing systems.
As India works toward becoming a trusted centre for semiconductor design, manufacturing and innovation, platforms such as the DIR-V Symposium will play an important role in connecting talent, technology, policy and industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the DIR-V Symposium 2026?
The Digital India RISC-V Symposium 2026 is a two-day event focused on indigenous processor development, RISC-V innovation, semiconductor technologies, secure computing and digital infrastructure. It brings together participants from government, academia, research organisations, startups and industry.
2. When and where will the DIR-V Symposium 2026 take place?
The symposium is scheduled for 1–2 August 2026 at the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
3. Who is organising the DIR-V Symposium 2026?
The event is being hosted by IIT Madras in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, and RISC-V International.
4. Who can participate in the symposium?
The event is suitable for students, researchers, engineers, developers, entrepreneurs, startups, policymakers, academic institutions and companies working in semiconductors, processor design, embedded systems, artificial intelligence hardware and cybersecurity.
5. What is the DIR-V Grand Challenge Hackathon?
The DIR-V Grand Challenge Hackathon is a competition that allows students and startups to develop and showcase innovative solutions using RISC-V technologies. It provides participants with exposure to experts, industry organisations and India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem.