MeitY launches the Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge; Participants to make solutions using processors built by IIT Madras and CDAC

The IT Ministry has launched the “Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge- Innovate Solutions for Aatmanirbhar Bharat”. This will provide further impetus to the strong startup ecosystem. It will also drive innovation and research in the country. IIT Madras and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) have developed two microprocessors -- SHAKTI (32-bit) and VEGA (64-bit) respectively. They have used Open Source Architecture under the aegis of Microprocessor Development Programme of Ministry of Electronics and IT.

The program aims to use these processors to create Made-In-India solutions and reduce the dependency on imports.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched the movement and invited students, startups and innovators to participate in the challenge. According to a statement from the ministry, this initiative to meet India’s future requirements of strategic and industrial sectors. It also has the potential to mitigate the issues of security, licensing and technology obsolescence.

About the Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge

Under #AatmaNibharBharat Abhiyan, there is a growing need for Swadeshi Computer Hardware. These will be a part of every Smart Device in different domains, including Electronics for public utility services. From Defense to Commodity Appliances, India bets to become a hub for homegrown electronics. The statement from MeitY says, "It is not just the cost or embargo that drives this need. The dependence on external vendors, long term sustenance, quick enhancements to suit the ever-growing requirements, and most-importantly Security also drives #AatmaNirbharta in Hardware domain."

Thus, it is very clear, that under Microprocessor Challenge, MeitY along with CDAC, IIT Madras and IIT Bombay will build startups to make home-grown IT solutions from scratch.

How to participate?

The very basic criterion of the challenge is that you are an Indian Citizen with an Indian StartUp. Further, you should make use of:

(a) Xilinx FPGA Boards (Arty A7-100T or Arty A7-35T)

AND

(b) one of the Microprocessors & associated ecosystem <शक्ति (Shakti) processors by IIT Madras or वेगा (Vega) processors by C-DAC>

Read More: Know about the Shakti and Vega Processors.

The contest is open to all Indian students pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate & Doctoral degrees in an Engineering discipline with Indian Colleges and Universities. Teams of no more than 5 students and 2 faculty members. You can also register even if you are not a registered startup yet, but you will have to register before Jan 31 2021.

Further, here are the types of solutions that you can make. The MeitY will add more soon.

Timeline of the Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge

https://innovate.mygov.in/swadeshi-microprocessor-challenge/#tab4" align="aligncenter" width="750"> Timeline of the Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge

Benefits of the Challenge

The challenge is spread over 10 months. It will start on August 18, 2020, and the last date to apply is September 15. The top 100 semi-finalists and 25 finalists will receive a cash award. The top 10 teams entering the final will get a seed fund of total Rs 2.30 crore and 12 months incubation support. The participants also stand a chance to facilitate their ideas in the marketplace.

Login here to participate.