The Beginning of a Silicon Dream
In the dusty lanes of Faridabad in 1964, a 31-year-old Sikh entrepreneur, Gurpreet Singh, did something nobody believed possible. He began making silicon semiconductors—a technology most Indians hadn’t even heard of. Back then, when he proudly told Homi Bhabha, the father of India’s nuclear program, that his company was making silicon chips, Bhabha didn’t believe him. Only after confirming it through his own sources did Bhabha acknowledge the truth. That company was CDIL—Continental Device India Ltd.
What started as a joint venture with a California firm soon became a homegrown powerhouse. By 1974, CDIL was fully Indian-owned and became the first to supply space-grade chips to ISRO. The company has since touched every sector—industrial, consumer electronics, defence, audio systems, and now, green tech. But what hasn’t changed is the Sikh family at the helm, now in its third generation.
Building a Legacy of Innovation
Today, Gurpreet Singh’s legacy is carried forward by his son, Inderdeep Singh, and grandson, Prithvideep Singh. Together, they run the company out of its modern facility in Mohali, where the focus has shifted from wafer fabrication to ATMP—assembly, testing, marking, and packaging of semiconductor components.
“The first lot of chips we ever made had to be exported,” recalls Inderdeep, now CDIL’s president and managing director. “Indian companies didn’t believe silicon could be made here.” But gradually, CDIL proved its reliability. After decades of catering mostly to international markets like the US, UK, China, and South Korea, CDIL now supplies 70 percent of its products domestically.
The company ran its own wafer fab in Delhi for over 30 years. But the economic and technological pressures of operating a full-scale fab in India forced them to pivot. Today, CDIL’s ATMP facility produces over 500 million units annually and has recently expanded to 600 million. They also maintain design authority, partnering with foreign fabs that produce chips to CDIL’s specifications.
The Rise of a Sikh Family Making Semiconductors
What sets CDIL apart isn’t just their longevity, but their ability to keep evolving. In 2023, they became the first Indian company to manufacture silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor devices. These chips are crucial for electric vehicles, solar panels, and power management devices.
The SiC leap was more than just a technological win. It came with a vision. CDIL signed an MoU with the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali to develop an end-to-end hub for semiconductor innovation in India.
Despite their achievements, the company has stayed grounded. CDIL avoided debt, choosing to grow sustainably. This conservative approach helped them ride out crises—from global chip shortages to the COVID-19 slowdown.
In August 2025, CDIL received government backing under the India Semiconductor Mission, with a ₹117 crore expansion approved for its Mohali plant. With that, their annual production capacity will rise beyond 760 million units, covering both traditional silicon and advanced SiC devices.
The story of this Sikh family making semiconductors is one of faith, resilience, and long-term vision. From a dusty factory floor in the 60s to cutting-edge silicon carbide technology, the Singh family has not only powered CDIL, but also helped lay the foundation of India’s semiconductor dreams.
Also Read: The Turbaned Titan Who Became India’s First Defence Minister in 1947
FAQ
Who is the Sikh family making semiconductors behind CDIL?
Gurpreet Singh founded CDIL in 1964. His son Inderdeep and grandson Prithvideep now lead the company.
Who is Gurpreet Singh?
Gurpreet Singh was a visionary Sikh entrepreneur who founded CDIL in 1964 and introduced silicon chip manufacturing to India.
What does CDIL do?
CDIL manufactures semiconductor components including silicon and silicon carbide devices used in space, defence, automotive, and energy sectors.
What was CDIL’s early role in semiconductors?
CDIL introduced silicon semiconductors to India and supplied space-grade chips to ISRO.
Is CDIL the first Indian company to make SiC chips?
Yes, CDIL was the first Indian firm to manufacture silicon carbide semiconductor devices in 2023.
Why did CDIL stop wafer fabrication?
High costs and lack of ecosystem support led CDIL to shift focus to ATMP operations.
What is CDIL’s future under the India Semiconductor Mission?
With a new ₹117 crore grant, CDIL will boost its Mohali capacity and expand SiC and silicon chip output.
