Indigenously Developed Silicon Photonics Technology Solutions Launched

**Executive Summary** On April 24, 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched two indigenous Silicon Photonics technology solutions developed at IIT Madras to advance India’s technology sovereignty. These solutions include a Process Design Kit (PDK) and a Universal Programmable Photonic ICs (PPIC) Test Engine, which will serve as a shared national facility. Starting in Q3 of the current financial year, the center will initiate Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) fabrication runs alongside comprehensive testing and packaging services. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Technological Launches** * **Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit (PDK):** A library featuring over 50 verified components designed to enable the manufacturing of advanced photonic chips. * **Universal Packaged PPIC Test Engine:** A state-of-the-art, indigenously developed automated characterization platform for photonic and optoelectronic modules. * **Strategic Objectives and Infrastructure** * The initiative aims to establish a shared national facility for the Indian photonics R&D community to achieve global state-of-the-art standards. * The project follows a Product Research, Development and Manufacturing (PRDM) model leveraging CMOS-compatible technology. * Current partners include SilTerra Malaysia for foundry services and izmo Microsystems, Bengaluru, for photonic IC packaging. * **Future Roadmap and Development** * The next phase of technology development under the CoE-CPPICS has been officially launched. * Future support is anticipated under the upcoming India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 R&D vertical for product development and technology improvements. * There is a long-term goal to establish a dedicated Silicon Photonics Fab with integrated packaging facilities following the successful demonstration of commercial capabilities. **Impact Analysis** **Industries and Startups** **Impact:** They gain access to essential indigenous design enablement tools and characterization platforms previously unavailable locally. **Action Required:** Utilize the PDK and PPIC Test Engine to develop and characterise advanced Photonic ICs for various applications. **Academic and Defence R&D Organisations** **Impact:** These stakeholders benefit from a shared national facility and a verified component library for high-level research in classical and quantum regimes. **Action Required:** Engage with the CoE-CPPICS facility for research, development, and upcoming MPW fabrication runs. **India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) / MeitY** **Impact:** The launch marks a milestone in national technology sovereignty and aligns with the mission to establish domestic semiconductor manufacturing. **Action Required:** Provide continued support through ISM 2.0 and work toward the establishment of a specialized Silicon Photonics Fab. **CoE-CPPICS, IIT Madras** **Impact:** The center transitions into a national service provider for fabrication, testing, and packaging. **Action Required:** Commence Silicon Photonics MPW fabrication runs and module characterization starting in Q3 of the financial year.

Key Entities Referenced