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Three New Supercomputers for India
Context:
The Prime Minister dedicated three new supercomputers at leading scientific institutions in Delhi, Pune, and Kolkata, aiming to enhance research in astronomy, medicine, and high-energy physics.
More on News:
- The initiative also includes upgraded computing power for weather and climate research, with two additional HPC systems installed at atmospheric sciences institutes in Pune and Noida, which already host supercomputers.
- These new systems, worth ₹850 crore, have increased the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ computing capacity from 6.8 petaflops five years ago to a record total of 22 petaflops.
Significance:
- These High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems advance India’s scientific capabilities, stating they will provide cutting-edge facilities to the domestic scientific community and support research across fields including physics, cosmology, and earth sciences.
- India’s commitment to self-reliance through research, states that advancements in technology should also empower the common citizen.
New Installations:
- The three indigenously-built PARAM Rudra supercomputers were developed under the National Supercomputing Mission at a total cost of approximately ₹130 crores.
Locations:
- Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), Pune: One of the largest and most powerful radio telescopes in the meter-wave range, equipped with a supercomputer with a capacity of 1 petaflop.
- Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), Delhi: Hosts the most powerful supercomputer of the three, with a capacity of 3 petaflops.
- S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata: Equipped with a supercomputer capable of 838 teraflops.
- Additionally, the Arka system at IITM has a capacity of 11.77 petaflops, improving the country’s horizontal resolution for global weather prediction models from 12 km to 6 km.
- The HPC Arunika, with an 8.24 petaflop capacity, will enhance weather forecast resolution at block levels.
The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) is a significant initiative by the Government of India, launched in 2015 with the objective of enhancing the country’s supercomputing capabilities. Implemented jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the mission aims to establish a network of over 70 high-performance computing (HPC) facilities across various academic and research institutions in India.
Impact and Future Prospects:
- Supercomputers have great potential to boost artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), helping ensure that technology benefits all citizens.
- These supercomputers symbolise a commitment to advancing India’s technological landscape and enhancing its research infrastructure.
