Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Param Rudra Supercomputer
Why in the News?
PM has dedicated three “PARAM Rudra” Supercomputers along with High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems, ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika’, to the nation.
What are High-Performance Computing (HPC) Systems?
- HPC systems are powerful computational systems that perform large-scale and complex computations at incredibly high speeds.
- HPC Arka system at IITM has 11.77 Peta Flop capacity and will, for the first time, help improve the country’s horizontal resolution of its global weather prediction models to 6 km from the existing 12 km.
- HPC Arunika comes with 8.24 Peta Flop capacity. This HPC will prove beneficial in upgrading weather forecast resolution at block levels.
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What is PARAM Rudra?
- PARAM Rudra is a high-performance computing (HPC) system and part of India’s PARAM series of supercomputers.
- It is developed indigenously by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
Applications of PARAM Rudra
- Astronomy: Used by the Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune to study Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and other astronomical phenomena.
- Atomic Physics and Material Science: The Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in Delhi uses PARAM Rudra for research in these areas.
- Physics, Cosmology, and Earth Sciences: The supercomputer at the SN Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences in Kolkata supports advanced studies in these domains.
- Weather Forecasting and Agriculture: The supercomputers enhance weather forecasting, benefiting industries like agriculture, where improved predictions help farmers make informed decisions.
Back2Basics: National Supercomputing Mission (NSM):
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Details |
| Launch Year |
2015 |
| Objective |
- To enhance India’s research capacities by creating a Supercomputing grid supported by the National Knowledge Network (NKN)
- To position India as a global leader in supercomputing technology by boosting research, development, and innovation
|
| Nodal Agency |
Department of Science and Technology (DST);
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) |
| Implementation Agencies |
C-DAC, Pune and IISc, Bengaluru |
| Phases |
1. Phase I: Assembling supercomputers
2. Phase II: Manufacturing components in India
3. Phase III: Designing an indigenous supercomputer |
| Historical Context |
India’s supercomputer program began after the USA’s technology embargo in the late 1980s, leading to the creation of C-DAC and the unveiling of PARAM 800 in 1991 (second-fastest globally at the time) |
| Notable Supercomputers |
AI Supercomputer’ AIRAWAT’ and PARAM Siddhi – AI are currently the fastest supercomputers in India.
AIRAWAT has been ranked 75th in the world as of June 2023. |
| Global Context |
Frontier (USA) is the world’s fastest supercomputer since December 2023. |
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