The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science & Technology signed an agreement with Bengaluru-based BigEndian Semiconductors on 5 October 2026 for Project VeerAI. The agreement provides ₹130 crore under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund for the development of an indigenous AI Vision System-on-Chip (SoC).
Technology Development Board and RDI Fund
The Technology Development Board was established under the Technology Development Board Act, 1995, and functions under the Department of Science & Technology. The RDI Fund is used for supporting research, development, and innovation projects in strategic and emerging technology areas.
Project VeerAI and System-on-Chip
Project VeerAI has a total project cost of ₹260 crore, and TDB’s support is structured as Optional Convertible Debt (OCD). A System-on-Chip integrates multiple electronic components, such as processors, memory, and input-output interfaces, on a single semiconductor chip.
AI Vision SoC and Technology Readiness Level
The project aims to develop a camera-focused AI Vision SoC on a sovereign technology platform. The stated objective is to move the product from Technology Readiness Level 5 to Technology Readiness Level 9, where TRL-5 refers to validation in a relevant environment and TRL-9 refers to an actual system proven in operational use.
Important Facts for Exams
- The Technology Development Board operates under the Department of Science & Technology, which is a ministry-level department of the Government of India.
- Optional Convertible Debt is a financing instrument that can be converted into equity under specified conditions.
- System-on-Chip technology is widely used in smartphones, surveillance systems, automotive electronics, and industrial devices.
- Technology Readiness Level is a nine-point scale used to assess the maturity of a technology from concept to deployment.
Applications and Strategic Use
The indigenous AI Vision SoC is intended for secure AI chips used in CCTV-based surveillance systems. The platform is also planned for defence, automotive, industrial, and medical applications, with an emphasis on reducing dependence on external semiconductor supply chains.
Semiconductor Ecosystem in India
India has been expanding its semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem through policy support, research funding, and industry partnerships. Bengaluru remains a major centre for semiconductor design, electronics engineering, and deep-tech start-ups in India.
