Larsen & Toubro’s semiconductor arm, the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), and the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar have signed a tripartite agreement to develop India’s first fully indigenous secure chip, reported sources and official statements released on Monday. The project will initially focus on electronic passports, with future applications in other sensitive digital identity systems.
Strengthening digital sovereignty
India plans to design, develop, and bring to market a Secure Integrated Circuit (IC) solution within its borders. The country will own all intellectual property (IP) rights for this technology. This partnership combines industry experience, academic knowledge, and government-supported research and development. It represents a big move forward under national programs like Make in India, Digital India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Officials said the product would serve as a foundation for next-generation cryptographic solutions, enabling deployment in multiple secure applications beyond e-passports.
Dedicated research centre
The agreement includes the establishment of a research hub across L&T Semiconductor Technologies, IIT Gandhinagar and C-DAC. The five-year partnership will see targeted investments from each organisation and work on milestone-driven goals to fast-track innovation, product development and deployment.
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Sandeep Kumar, Chief Executive of L&T Semiconductor Technologies, said the collaboration was “more than an MoU; it is a blueprint for how industry, academia, and government can unite to shape India’s technological future”. He added that delivering solutions such as secure e-passports “marks a decisive step in the Make in India journey, ensuring that advanced security infrastructure is conceived, designed and owned domestically”.
Academic and R&D push
IIT Gandhinagar Director Prof Rajat Moona said the institute would contribute by nurturing talent and driving research to global standards. “This partnership will not only deliver home-grown solutions but also strengthen India’s leadership in semiconductors and national security technologies,” he said.
C-DAC Director General Magesh Ethirajan highlighted the centre’s long-standing role in secure citizen identity systems. “This alliance represents India’s determination to lead in secure and indigenous semiconductor technologies. By combining L&T’s industry leadership, IIT Gandhinagar’s academic excellence and C-DAC’s R&D, we are creating an ecosystem that safeguards national interests,” he said.
