Researchers at IIT Indore have pioneered a DNA-like fingerprint watermarking technology designed to protect hardware IP designs embedded directly into chips – a breakthrough in semiconductor security. Developed by Prof. Anirban Sengupta and team, this tamper-resistant watermark embeds unique “DNA” sequences into hardware—providing indisputable proof of ownership. Applications range from multimedia codecs and medical devices to machine-learning accelerators, helping curb counterfeiting and unauthorized reuse in a global supply chain.
This innovation strengthens India’s deep-tech pedigree, offering a robust tool for designers and manufacturers worldwide. As semiconductor imports grow and local chip development accelerates under initiatives like Make in India, embedding verifiable watermarks offers a scalable solution to protect domestic IP. IIT Indore’s leadership in real-world semiconductor safeguards positions the institution at the forefront of India’s evolving tech sovereignty.
