India marked a substantial step toward technological self-dependence in expanded electronics with the introduction of indigenously developed Silicon Photonics options at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) in Chennai.
The inauguration, led by S. Krishnan, Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), presented two major inventions: a Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit (PDK) and a Universal Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuit (PPIC) Test Engine. Both technologies have been extended at the MeitY-supported Centre of Excellence for Compound Photonics and Photonic Integrated Circuits Systems (CoE-CPPICS) at IIT Madras.
The Ministry of Electronics & IT illustrated the growth as a huge milestone in India’s journey toward “technology sovereignty” in Silicon Photonics, an advanced field that incorporates optical and electronic elements on a single chip. The options are anticipated to function as a shared national service, helping research and development work across academia, trade, startups, and defence organizations.
The recently introduced PDK comprises more than 50 proven elements, offering a full design ecosystem for building advanced photonic combined circuits. Meanwhile, the PPIC Test Engine delivers a state-of-the-art automated platform for testing and characterising photonic and optoelectronic modules through a variety of uses.
Speaking at the event, Krishnan expressed that India’s potential in Silicon Photonics is now on par with worldwide benchmarks and warned of the necessity to accompany this development with the formation of a fabrication organization under the India Semiconductor Mission.
Amitesh Sinha, Additional Secretary at MeitY and CEO of the India Semiconductor Mission, emphasized that the technology has uses in both classical and developing quantum domains. He stated that further expansion could be followed under the anticipated ISM 2.0 plan, mainly in the research and development vertical.
The next phase of the plan, also stated during the experience, will allow multi-project wafer (MPW) production runs beginning in the third quarter of the current financial year. This phase will offer integrated capabilities for construction, testing, packaging, and module description.
Progressing under a Product Research, Development and Manufacturing (PRDM) model, the idea leverages CMOS-compatible Silicon Photonics technology. It is carried by universal and domestic collaborators, comprising SilTerra Malaysia as the foundry partner and izmo Microsystems, Bengaluru, for photonic IC packaging.
Prof. Bijoy Krishna Das stated, "Izmo Microsystems has been a major collaborator in developing photonic chip packaging for the CPPICS R&D program at IIT Madras. Their proficiency in System-in-Package (SiP) options has played an important role in scaling our chip-scale microwave and quantum photonics usage. As the CPPICS team develops a wide-scale multipurpose programmable photonic processor, we are cooperatively constrained to transform energy-efficient system-in-package options for the ever-increasing silicon photonics sector”
"We are honored to team up with IIT Madras on this impressive project," expressed Dinanath Soni, Head of the Izmo Microsystems Division of Izmo Ltd. "The growth of the programmable photonic chip indicates a substantial leap in photonic incorporation, and Izmo Microsystems is committed to supporting advanced SiP packaging options to confirm its success. This relationship highlights our dedication to compelling silicon photonics and semiconductor expansions, supporting enhanced-performance, scalable options for future applications. "
The center has established India’s first silicon photonics-based Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) for extremely safe computing and communication, which has by now been licensed for commercial implementation. Through collaborations with Indian firms such as Izmo Microsystems, the institute is resolving the important challenge of 3D photonic IC packaging, a key barrier for system-level miniaturization. The tech permits faster, extremely energy-efficient information transfer utilizing light in place of electricity. This foundation is important for AI data centers, multi-band radar, and 5G/6G networks. The collaboration aims at the design, expansion, and packaging of a programmable photonic processor core utilizing Silicon Photonics Technology, an initiating step in the growth of communication and photonic computing. The current target of the centre is to deliver better options for microwave and quantum photonics applications.
The electronic packaging market is projected to grow from USD 2.17 billion in 2025 to USD 8.24 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 16.0%.
According to Towards Packaging, the increasing innovation in the electronics sector has fuelled innovation in the packaging industry. The rising demand for online electronics shopping has raised the concern towards packaging for safe and easy transportation of the products. Electronic products are fragile and need enhanced protection from shock and vibration while transporting, which has raised the innovation in their packaging as well. This type of enhanced packaging increases the reliability of the industry and supports its expansion.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is a leading, universally recognized engineering institute located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It was established in 1959 with support from the German government; it is recognized for its superiority in technical education, basic and applied research, and as a key deep-tech startup centre.
Izmo Microsystems (izmomicro) is a progressive semiconductor packaging and System-in-Package (SiP) producer. It is operating as a specialized firm of the publicly listed Izmo Ltd.; it emphasizes silicon photonics, enhanced-frequency RF modules, and enhanced-performance microelectronics from its facility in Bengaluru, India.
31 July 2026
30 July 2026
30 July 2026
30 July 2026