India Unveils Silicon Photonics Technologies for Advancing Next-Gen Communications

In a major leap toward technological self-reliance and next-generation semiconductor innovation, the Government of India has unveiled two cutting-edge Silicon Photonics solutions that position the country firmly on the global map of advanced chip design and photonics research.

Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), officially launched the indigenously developed Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit (PDK) and a Universal Packaged Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuit (PPIC) Test Engine at the MeitY-supported Centre of Excellence for Silicon Photonics and Photonic Integrated Circuits Systems (CoE-CPPICS) at IIT Madras.

The launch, held in the presence of Shri Amitesh Sinha, Additional Secretary, MeitY and CEO of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), senior academic leaders, and governing council members, marks a strategic milestone in India’s pursuit of Silicon Photonics technology sovereignty and the creation of a shared national infrastructure for photonics innovation.

A Strategic Leap in India’s Semiconductor Ambitions

Silicon Photonics—a technology that uses light (photons) instead of electrons to transfer data—has emerged globally as a cornerstone for high-speed data communication, AI infrastructure, quantum computing, and advanced sensing systems. The global silicon photonics market is projected to exceed $8–10 billion by 2030, driven by exponential growth in data centers, 5G/6G networks, and quantum technologies.

India’s latest advancements signal its intent to reduce dependence on imported high-end semiconductor technologies and build domestic capabilities in a field currently dominated by a handful of global players.

Calling the development a “major milestone,” Shri S. Krishnan emphasized that India’s silicon photonics ecosystem is now “matching global state-of-the-art standards”, and underscored the need to complement these capabilities with the establishment of a dedicated Silicon Photonics fabrication facility (Fab) under the India Semiconductor Mission.

Indigenous Design Capability: The Silicon Photonics PDK

At the heart of this announcement is the Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit (PDK)—a foundational tool for designing photonic chips.

• The PDK includes over 50 verified photonic components, enabling robust and scalable chip design.

• It provides critical design infrastructure for startups, industry players, academic researchers, and defence R&D organisations.

• By offering a standardized, validated component library, the PDK significantly reduces development time, cost, and risk for photonic IC innovation in India.

This development addresses a key bottleneck in the semiconductor ecosystem—access to reliable design tools—which has historically limited domestic innovation in advanced chip technologies.

Advanced Testing Infrastructure: Universal PPIC Test Engine

Complementing the design capabilities is the launch of the Universal Packaged PPIC Test Engine, a state-of-the-art automated platform for characterization of photonic and optoelectronic modules.

• The system enables high-precision testing across a wide range of applications, including telecom, sensing, defence, and quantum technologies.

• It supports automated, scalable validation of photonic devices, a critical step toward commercialization.

• The platform strengthens India’s ability to move from prototype to production-ready photonic systems.

Together, the PDK and PPIC Test Engine create an end-to-end ecosystem—from design to testing—within India, significantly enhancing the country’s semiconductor value chain.

Enabling the Next Phase: Toward Commercialization and Fabrication

The launch also marked the beginning of the next phase of technology development at CoE-CPPICS, with a strong focus on commercialization and industry integration.

Shri Amitesh Sinha highlighted that silicon photonics has transformative applications across both classical and quantum domains, including:

• High-speed optical communication for data centers

• Quantum computing and secure communication systems

• Advanced sensing and defence applications

He noted that under the upcoming India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, particularly its R&D vertical, such technologies could receive targeted support for further development and productization.

Following successful commercial validation, plans are being explored to establish a Silicon Photonics Fab with integrated packaging facilities, a move that would place India among a select group of nations with full-stack photonics manufacturing capabilities.

From Lab to Market: MPW Runs and Industry Partnerships

Outlining the roadmap ahead, Chief Investigator Prof. Bijoy Krishna Das announced that the centre will begin Silicon Photonics Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) fabrication runs starting Q3 of the current financial year.

This will enable:

• Cost-effective fabrication for multiple users on shared wafers

• Faster prototyping cycles for startups and researchers

• Access to comprehensive testing, packaging, and module characterization services

“This integrated approach will significantly lower entry barriers and accelerate innovation in the Indian photonics ecosystem,” Prof. Das stated, acknowledging MeitY’s continued support.

A Global Collaboration Model with Local Impact

The CoE-CPPICS operates on a Product Research, Development and Manufacturing (PRDM) model, combining global collaboration with domestic capability building.

• SilTerra Malaysia serves as the foundry partner, ensuring access to advanced fabrication processes

• Izmo Microsystems, Bengaluru, provides photonic IC packaging expertise

• IIT Madras anchors the research, innovation, and ecosystem development

This hybrid model allows India to rapidly scale capabilities while building indigenous expertise in critical areas.

Building a National Photonics Ecosystem

Beyond individual technologies, the initiative is designed as a shared national facility, accessible to:

• Academic institutions

• Deep-tech startups

• Industry players

• Strategic sectors including defence and space

By democratizing access to high-end photonics infrastructure, the government aims to foster a collaborative innovation ecosystem capable of competing globally.

Toward Technological Sovereignty

The launch comes at a time when global semiconductor supply chains are undergoing significant realignment, with countries investing heavily in domestic capabilities to ensure technological security.

India’s push into silicon photonics aligns with its broader semiconductor strategy, which includes:

• $10 billion incentive programs under ISM

• Expansion of chip design and fabrication ecosystem

• Focus on emerging technologies such as compound semiconductors and quantum devices

With silicon photonics now entering the national spotlight, India is positioning itself not just as a consumer, but as a creator of next-generation semiconductor technologies.