IIT Madras Silicon Photonics PDK and PPIC Test Engine

Silicon photonics design kit and test engine developed at IIT Madras launched

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Battle Brief

MeitY launched two indigenous silicon photonics tools from the CoE-CPPICS at IIT Madras on 24 April 2026: a Process Design Kit with over 50 verified components, and a Universal Programmable Photonic IC Test Engine. They are meant as a shared national facility for India’s photonics R&D community.

Fact File

Launched: 24 April 2026, MeitY
Centre: CoE-CPPICS, IIT Madras (MeitY-sponsored)
PDK: Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit, 50+ verified components
Test engine: Universal packaged PPIC (Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuit) Test Engine
Foundry partner: SilTerra Malaysia
Packaging partner: izmo Microsystems, Bengaluru

In the news

India’s indigenous silicon photonics design tools: what happened?

Chips that move data with light need special design libraries and test gear. Until now much of that stack was foreign. An Indian PDK lets startups and labs design photonic chips at home.

PDK lets industry, startups, academia and defence R&D design advanced Photonic ICs.
Test engine automates characterisation of photonic and optoelectronic modules.
Next phase: Silicon Photonics MPW fabrication runs with testing, packaging and module characterisation from Q3 of this financial year.
PRDM model uses CMOS-compatible silicon photonics.

Back Story

What is a Process Design Kit?

A library of verified building blocks that chip designers use before sending a design to a foundry.

Why examiners care

Why does India’s indigenous silicon photonics design tools matter?

Technology: Design enablement for photonic chips in India.
Industry: Path toward a future silicon photonics fab under ISM.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on India’s indigenous silicon photonics design tools?

CoE-CPPICS IIT Madras: Silicon Photonics PDK (50+ components) and PPIC Test Engine, Apr 2026.
Foundry partner SilTerra Malaysia; packaging izmo Microsystems.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Science and technology: IT, computers, robotics, indigenisation

As per PIB (2026-04-24): meitY launched an indigenous Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit and a Universal Programmable Photonic ICs Test Engine developed at IIT Madras.
Photonics is a next-generation chip technology, and owning the design tools gives India its own capability.

Quotable data point
MeitY launched an indigenous Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit and a Universal Programmable Photonic ICs Test Engine developed at IIT Madras.
PIB: MeitY: silicon photonics, 24 Apr 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

The Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit launched in April 2026 was developed at

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB (MeitY), 24 April 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

What did MeitY launch at IIT Madras in April 2026?

An indigenous Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit and a Universal PPIC Test Engine.

How many components does the PDK have?

Over 50 verified components.

Who are the industrial partners named for the centre?

SilTerra Malaysia (foundry) and izmo Microsystems, Bengaluru (packaging).