News Brief
PARAM Rudra supercomputer
India has taken a significant leap in scientific computing with the launch of three new PARAM Rudra Supercomputers, marking another milestone under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
These supercomputers, developed indigenously at a cost of Rs 130 crore and dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are strategically deployed across Delhi, Pune, and Kolkata to boost scientific research in areas like astronomy, material science, and earth sciences.
What Are PARAM Rudra Supercomputers?
The PARAM Rudra Supercomputers are high-speed computational systems designed to support advanced research in fields such as:
Astronomy: The Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune will use PARAM Rudra to study Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and other celestial phenomena.
Material Science and Atomic Physics: The Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in Delhi will leverage this technology for research in advanced materials and atomic interactions.
Cosmology & Earth Sciences: At the SN Bose Centre in Kolkata, the supercomputer will support cutting-edge research in understanding the universe and our planet.
Why Are These Supercomputers Important?
These systems are especially useful for complex tasks like weather forecasting, enabling hyper-local, accurate predictions that can significantly benefit sectors like agriculture and disaster management.
National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) — A Step Towards Self-Reliance
As part of India's push for Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) in technology, the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) was launched in 2015 to develop state-of-the-art computing systems domestically.
The NSM is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
Complementary Developments: HPC Systems for Weather Research
Alongside the PARAM Rudra systems, Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated a High-Performance Computing (HPC) system focused on weather and climate research.
Named Arka and Arunika, these systems are expected to drastically improve India’s ability to predict critical weather events like cyclones and heat waves.