The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT Gandhinagar), L&T Semiconductor Technologies Ltd. (LTSCT), and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) have inked a Tripartite Agreement to work together on the research, development, and commercialization of secure integrated circuit (IC) solutions for vital applications, initially concentrating on electronic passports.
All intellectual properties (IPs) of the Secure IC solution are located in India, making it a completely indigenous product. This adds a substantial amount of value because the solution is specially designed to satisfy India’s particular needs, reducing dependency on imports.
This strategic partnership combines government-led R&D, industrial experience, and academic brilliance to create a strong, entirely domestic environment for IC design and development.
It enhances the “Make in India” agenda for national security-critical technologies like Electronic Passport and reaffirms India’s commitment to technical sovereignty. Beyond the current application, this endeavor will lay the groundwork for next-generation crypto technologies that will be implemented in innovative embedded secure applications.
The push for self-reliance in critical technologies is being driven by the Government of India’s strategic missions, such as “Make in India,” “Digital India,” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
This partnership will greatly strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem and lessen reliance on foreign technology providers in security-sensitive domains, affirmed LTSCT’s official release.
The agreement asks for the establishment of a dedicated research center at L&T Semiconductors, IIT Gandhinagar, and C-DAC to foster next-generation expertise in secure compute technologies, with an initial five-year period.
Each partner will make targeted investments and work toward clear, milestone-driven goals in order to expedite product development and implementation.
Leadership Comments
Sandeep Kumar, Chief Executive, LTSCT, commented, “This agreement between L&T Semiconductor, IIT Gandhinagar, and C-DAC is more than an MoU; it is a blueprint for how industry, academia, and government can unite to shape India’s technological future. Together, we are building a secure, indigenous semiconductor ecosystem that will drive innovation, safeguard sensitive IP, and set new global benchmarks.”
“By leveraging our combined strengths, we will deliver solutions made entirely in India, such as secure e-passports that the world can trust. This marks a decisive step in the ‘Make in India’ journey, ensuring that our nation’s advanced security infrastructure is conceived, designed, and owned domestically. Our unwavering commitment is to equip India for the next generation of technological challenges and opportunities, while reinforcing long-term sovereignty and security,” he added.
Prof. Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar, said: “IIT Gandhinagar is proud to contribute to India’s vision of self-reliance in critical technology sectors. Through this collaboration, we aim to nurture talent, foster innovation, and drive research in secure integrated circuits that meet global standards. This partnership will not only deliver home-grown solutions but also strengthen India’s leadership in semiconductors and national security technologies.”
Emphasising C-DAC’s role in R&D, secure citizen identity, and mission-critical digital infrastructure, Magesh Ethirajan, Director General, C-DAC, said, “This strategic alliance represents India’s determination to lead in secure and indigenous semiconductor technologies. C-DAC has been leading the development of secure solutions, including Smart card Operating Systems and Key Management System since more than a decade. By leveraging C-DAC’s research and development expertise alongside L&T’s industry leadership and IIT Gandhinagar’s academic excellence, we are creating a truly ‘Made in India’ ecosystem that safeguards national interests and sets benchmarks for global innovation.”
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