VLSID 2026: Global Synergy in Silicon: VLSI and Embedded AI for Sustainable Computing and Next-Gen Electrified Mobility
VLSID is an annual conference that serves as a platform for professionals, researchers, and students to present their work, learn about the latest trends, and network with peers in the field of VLSI and embedded systems. It reflects India's dedication to becoming a leader in semiconductor technology and its applications.
The 39th International Conference on VLSI Design and the 25th International Conference on Embedded Systems (VLSID 2026), organized by the VLSI Society of India (VSI), was held from 3–7 January 2026 in Pune, India. With the theme “Global Synergy in Silicon: VLSI and Embedded AI for Sustainable Computing and Next-Gen Electrified Mobility,” the conference reinforced India’s growing leadership in the global semiconductor ecosystem.
VLSID 2026 attracted 2,000+ delegates from over 200 organizations worldwide, spanning industry, academia, startups, and government. The five-day program featured 25+ keynotes, panels, fireside chats, technical paper sessions, tutorials, design contests, startup forums, Women in Engineering, and exhibitions—establishing the event as a comprehensive platform for thought leadership and innovation. During the award ceremony, the VSI Women Achiever was presented to Smt. Sunita Verma, Group Co-ordinator (R&D), from MEiTY.
The event commenced with a keynote vision address by Rajendra Chodankar, who outlined RRP’s vision for strengthening India’s semiconductor value chain. His address highlighted OSAT capabilities, the roadmap toward future fabrication facilities, and the pivotal role of design as the foundation of innovation. The conference featured keynote addresses by Srikanth SettikereVamsi Boppana (Microchip Technology India), (AMD), Ankur GuptaBoyd Phelp (Siemens ESD&M), and s (Cadence), focusing on AI-driven VLSI design, EDA innovation, and scalable architectures. The BRM session on Verification, Reliability, and Hardware Security, along with a product launch by RRP Electronics Ltd., were key highlights.Keynote sessions by Prof. Debdeep Mukhopadhyay (IIT Kharagpur), Biswadeep Chatterjee (HCLTech), and Lenin Patra (Marvell Technology) offered insights into hardware security, semiconductor trends, and platform and switch architectures.
The conference showcased 64 peer-reviewed papers and 30 posters, selected from 435 submissions across 11 specialized tracks. A rigorous review process involving 1,563 expert reviews (3 blind reviews per paper) and IEEE plagiarism screening ensured high technical quality. The papers highlighted groundbreaking work in areas such as:
- Hardware Security: Innovative approaches to protecting hardware against tampering and ensuring data integrity.
- Neuromorphic Computing: Advances in brain-inspired computing systems that promise significant improvements in efficiency and adaptability.
- Energy-Efficient Designs: Novel techniques to reduce power consumption in electronic devices, addressing global energy concerns.
The technical program was supported by 300+ TPC members and co-sponsored by leading professional bodies, including ACM SIGDA, ACM SIGMICRO, IEEE CAS, IEEE CS, IEEE CS TCVLSI, IEEE EDS, IEEE SSCS, IEEE CEDA, and the IEEE Pune Section, with ICT Academy as an academic sponsor.
The Tutorials Program witnessed record participation, with nearly 800 attendees across 26 tutorials covering 17 technical themes. Design excellence was further highlighted through Design Contest, while the User Design Track (UDT) and PhD/Student Research Forum (SRF) provided strong platforms for emerging talent. With 500+ student fellowships and 90+ faculty fellowships, VLSID 2026 demonstrated a strong
commitment to talent development. The Industry Forum bridged research and deployment through 13 focused sessions on AI-driven EDA, automotive electronics, advanced packaging, 5G, and India-centric applications.
A major highlight was the SWAPN (Swadeshi Product Nation) Pavilion, aligned with the Viksit Bharat vision, featuring 50 indigenous electronics and semiconductor companies. The Startup Forum and Industry Forum further energized the ecosystem through mentorship, policy insights, and investor engagement.
The conference also launched the 1-TOPS Program, a flagship initiative offering hands-on, industry-aligned exposure to large-scale design, verification, and system-level thinking for next-generation semiconductor talent.
VLSID 2026 celebrated excellence through a comprehensive Awards Ceremony, including Best Paper, Design Contest, Women in Engineering, VSI Faculty, Lifetime Achievement, and SWAPN Awards. A defining moment was the conferment of the VSI Lifetime Achievement Award on Dr. Vijay P. Bhatkar, architect of PARAM 8000, honoring his pioneering contributions to high-performance computing and India’s technological self-reliance. The Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended VLSID 2026 for its contributions to India’s Semiconductor Mission and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Under the leadership of VSI, VLSID 2026 reaffirmed its role as a global hub for collaboration, innovation, and talent development, strengthening India’s position in the global semiconductor landscape.
Looking Ahead
The momentum generated by VLSID 2026 is expected to catalyse sustained progress in the semiconductor domain. Built on a strong foundation of collaboration and shared vision, India is well positioned to make impactful contributions to global technology advancement. The VLSI Society of India (VSI) with its partners, remains committed to strengthening this ecosystem through continued engagement, knowledge exchange, and initiatives that drive innovation.
Shailesh Parab – General Chair, VLSID 2026
Meghana Sridhar – Communications and Publicity Chair, VLSID 2026
Nagi Naganathan – IEEE Liaison, VLSID 2026