India has introduced two indigenous processor architectures for its space and defence sectors: VIKRAM, a 32-bit processor engineered for mission-critical embedded control, and DHRUV64, the nation's first 64-bit general-purpose processor designed for secure, high-performance computing. This move marks a decisive shift toward sovereign control over critical computing hardware.

This is not a simple evolution from 32-bit to 64-bit, but a deliberate dual-architecture strategy. In space and defence systems, processors are chosen for determinism, power efficiency, and security—not just bit-width. Both VIKRAM and DHRUV64 align with RISC-V principles, offering an open, auditable instruction set free from geopolitical lock-in and enabling long-term architectural stability.

The pairing reflects distinct operational needs. VIKRAM prioritizes predictability for real-time control loops in avionics and guidance systems, while DHRUV64 supports complex workloads like AI/ML inference and secure multi-process environments. By building from silicon up, India aims to eliminate hidden dependencies, establish a verifiable hardware root of trust, and achieve true technological self-reliance in critical infrastructure.