The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched the Param Shakti Supercomputer at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, marking a significant milestone in India’s journey toward high-performance computing and technological self-reliance. Funded under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), Param Shakti is a 3.1 Petaflop indigenously developed supercomputing system, designed to empower India’s academic and research institutions with cutting-edge computational capabilities.
Contents
About Param Shakti Supercomputer
The Param Shakti Supercomputer is one of the most powerful computational systems available in Indian academic institutions today. Built using the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)’s RUDRA series of servers, it runs on an open-source software stack, including AlmaLinux, ensuring flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
With a peak performance of 3.1 Petaflops, Param Shakti is capable of handling complex simulations and large-scale data analysis. Its deployment at IIT Madras strengthens India’s position in advanced computing and provides researchers with the tools needed to tackle challenges in multiple scientific domains.
Significance of Param Shakti
The Param Shakti Supercomputer is expected to revolutionize research across diverse fields:
- Aerospace Engineering: Enables advanced simulations for aircraft design, propulsion systems, and space exploration.
- Materials Science: Supports molecular modelling and nanotechnology research for next-generation materials.
- Climate Modelling: Provides accurate predictions and simulations to study climate change and environmental sustainability.
- Drug Discovery: Accelerates computational biology and pharmaceutical research, reducing time for drug development.
- Advanced Manufacturing: Enhances industrial processes through predictive modelling and digital twin technologies.
By offering such wide-ranging applications, Param Shakti strengthens India’s academic ecosystem and supports innovation-driven growth.
About the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)
Launched in 2015, the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) aims to connect national academic and R&D institutions with a grid of over 70 high-performance computing facilities. These supercomputers are networked through the National Supercomputing Grid over the National Knowledge Network (NKN), enabling collaborative research and resource sharing.
The mission is jointly steered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and MeitY, and implemented by C-DAC Pune and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. NSM represents India’s commitment to building indigenous supercomputing capabilities and reducing dependence on foreign technologies.
India’s Supercomputing Journey
India’s supercomputing journey began with PARAM 8000, the country’s first supercomputer. Since then, several landmark systems have been developed:
- Param Pravega: India’s largest supercomputer.
- Param Shivay: The first indigenously built supercomputer under NSM.
- AIRAWAT: A common compute platform for AI research and knowledge assimilation.
The launch of Param Shakti Supercomputer continues this legacy, reinforcing India’s position as a global player in high-performance computing.
Conclusion
The launch of the Param Shakti Supercomputer at IIT Madras under the National Supercomputing Mission is a landmark achievement in India’s technological advancement. With its 3.1 Petaflop performance, indigenous design, and wide-ranging applications, Param Shakti is set to empower researchers, accelerate innovation, and strengthen India’s academic and industrial ecosystem.
By combining indigenous hardware (RUDRA servers) with open-source software (AlmaLinux), Param Shakti embodies the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in technology. It not only enhances India’s computational power but also ensures self-reliance in critical infrastructure, paving the way for breakthroughs in science, engineering, and artificial intelligence.
