Archive · 19 Sep 2026
NIT Rourkela Chip Highlights Odisha’s Growing Semiconductor Ambitions
NIT Rourkela made a security chip that helps protect information.
The chip can scramble data and check whether it has been changed.
It is intended for small Internet-connected devices and other embedded systems.
The chip was shown at SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi.
It was included on an emblem representing chip work from 20 Indian institutions.
Student designer Pradeep Kumar Mohanty and his supervisors developed the chip.
The project received support through a government chip-development programme.
The chip was fabricated at Semiconductor Complex Limited in Mohali.
NIT Rourkela and Odisha want to expand semiconductor education, research and investment.
NIT Rourkela showcased its ASCON AEAD Security Chip at SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi.
The chip was featured on an emblem representing designs from 20 Indian institutions presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Designed by PhD scholar Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, the chip enables encryption and authentication for IoT devices and embedded systems.
The project was developed through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s Chip-to-Startup Programme and fabricated at Semiconductor Complex Limited in Mohali.
Odisha announced proposed semiconductor investments of approximately ₹23,600 crore and plans for an 870-acre Odisha Silicon Valley near Cuttack.
- Who
- National Institute of Technology Rourkela researchers, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and Semiconductor Complex Limited were involved; Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha officials attended related presentations and discussions.
- What
- NIT Rourkela showcased its ASCON AEAD Security Chip as part of an emblem representing chip-design contributions from 20 Indian institutions.
- When
- The presentation took place during SEMICON India 2026, held from September 17 to 19.
- Where
- The event was held at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi; the chip was fabricated at Semiconductor Complex Limited in Mohali, and Odisha Silicon Valley is planned near Cuttack.
- Why
- The showcase highlighted indigenous semiconductor design and efforts to develop Odisha’s and India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
- Chip
- ASCON AEAD Security Chip (C2S0091)
- Design team
- Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, under the supervision of Ayas Kanta Swain and Kamalakanta Mahapatra
- Primary function
- Encryption and authentication for resource-constrained Internet of Things devices and embedded systems
- Development programme
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s Chip-to-Startup Programme
- Fabrication site
- Semiconductor Complex Limited, Mohali
- Odisha investment proposals
- Approximately ₹23,600 crore, with potential for 6,100 employment opportunities
- Planned technology hub
- Odisha Silicon Valley on 870 acres in Naraj, near Cuttack
