India has deployed three PARAM Rudra supercomputers in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata, as part of the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM). Valued at approximately ₹130 crore, these supercomputers aim to advance research in fields such as physics, earth sciences, and cosmology. The systems were inaugurated by the Prime Minister via video conferencing and are expected to support pioneering scientific endeavors across various sectors.
The supercomputers are located at the Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune, the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in Delhi, and the S.N. Bose Centre in Kolkata. The GMRT will use the PARAM Rudra system to study phenomena like Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), while the IUAC will enhance research in material science and atomic physics. The S.N. Bose Centre will focus on physics, cosmology, and earth sciences.
In addition, a new High-Performance Computing (HPC) system was launched to support weather and climate research. This HPC system, installed at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune and the National Center for Medium Range Weather Forecast (NCMRWF) in Noida, is designed to improve the accuracy of weather forecasts. The system, with a budget of ₹850 crore, will help predict tropical cyclones, heatwaves, droughts, and other critical weather events. Named ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika,’ these systems are expected to significantly improve India’s weather forecasting capabilities.
The National Supercomputing Mission, which was launched in 2015, aims to establish a network of supercomputers across India to meet the increasing computational needs of researchers and institutions. The deployment of PARAM Rudra supercomputers marks a step forward in India’s ambition to build its scientific infrastructure, with an emphasis on advanced research and development.
These technological advancements are part of broader efforts to bolster the country’s capabilities in various fields, including the development of a domestic semiconductor ecosystem and the advancement of space exploration technologies.