GS Paper - III

Prime Minister virtually launched three Param Rudra Super Computing Systems and a High Performance Computing (HPC) system for weather and climate research. India takes significant step towards self-reliance in computing and driving innovation in science and tech.

Features of the Param Rudra supercomputers

• The supercomputers will be dedicated to the nation as part of the Centre’s efforts to make India self-reliant in the field of Supercomputing technology.
• These three supercomputers will cost around Rs 130 crore and will be developed indigenously under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
• They have been deployed at three key locations: Delhi, Pune and Kolkata. The Ministry of Science & Technology highlighted the project’s key objective to boost India’s scientific research capabilities.
• In Pune, the Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) will leverage the supercomputer to explore Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and other astronomical phenomena.
• In Delhi, Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) will enhance research in fields like material science and atomic physics.
• In Kolkata, S N Bose Centre will use supercomputing technology to drive advanced research in areas such as physics, cosmology, and earth sciences.

Flashback

• The project is part of the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), which aims to boost India’s supercomputing infrastructure amid increasing demand in sectors such as academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups.
• Under the mission, the first indigenously assembled supercomputer, named PARAM Shivay, was installed at IIT (BHU) in 2019.
• The launch of Param Rudra supercomputers was part of a program where PM Modi was scheduled to dedicate projects worth Rs 22,600 crore for various sectors.
• However, the event was postponed due to the heavy rainfall situation in Mumbai and Pune.