PM Modi Dedicates 3 PARAM Rudra Supercomputers

27-09-2024

On September 26, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated three PARAM Rudra supercomputers, valued at around Rs 130 crore, via video conferencing. Developed under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), these supercomputers have been deployed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata to facilitate pioneering scientific research.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated a High-Performance Computing (HPC) system tailored for weather and climate research.

Background

Deployment: The three PARAM Rudra supercomputers are deployed at the Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune, Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in Delhi, and S.N. Bose Centre in Kolkata, facilitating research across various scientific domains.
Investment: The HPC system represents an investment of Rs 850 crore, reflecting India's commitment to advancing its computational capabilities for critical research applications.

Significance of the Dedication

Achievement in Science and Technology: PM Modi highlighted the occasion as a major milestone for India's progress in science and technology, emphasizing the country’s commitment to research and development.
Youth Empowerment: The supercomputers were dedicated to the youth, reflecting Modi's vision for advanced technology to be accessible to young scientists for research in physics, earth sciences, and cosmology.

PM Modi's Remarks

Empowering Youth: The Prime Minister dedicated the supercomputers to the youth, highlighting their potential to advance research.
Technological Advancements: He emphasized that the computing capacity is crucial for national capability in research, economic growth, and disaster management.
Digital Revolution: He noted that India should not only match global standards but also serve humanity through scientific advancements, positioning India as a leader in technological innovations.

Advances in Various Sectors

Space and Semiconductor Industries: PM Modi discussed India’s advancements, particularly in the space sector, noting the successful landing near the moon’s South Pole and future plans for the Gaganyaan Mission and an Indian space station by 2035.
Semiconductors: He highlighted the launch of the India Semiconductor Mission to strengthen the semiconductor sector, a critical component in global supply chains.

Future Goals and Technologies

Quantum Computing: PM Modi stated that India is taking the lead in quantum computing through the National Quantum Mission, which is expected to transform various sectors including IT, manufacturing, and startups.
Impact of Supercomputers: He described how supercomputers will enable advanced research, particularly benefiting small farmers by providing access to crucial information on weather and soil, thereby improving decision-making for crop management and reducing risks for fishermen.

National Quantum Mission (NQM):

Approval Date: April 19, 2023
Budget: Rs. 6003.65 crore (2023-24 to 2030-31)
Objective: Develop a vibrant ecosystem for Quantum Technology (QT) in India.

Key Goals

Quantum Computers: Develop 50-1000 qubit systems in 8 years using superconducting and photonic technologies.
Secure Communication:
1. Satellite-based quantum communication over 2000 km.
2. Inter-city quantum key distribution.
3. Multi-node quantum networks.

Focus Areas

Sensing & Timing: High-sensitivity magnetometers and atomic clocks.
Quantum Materials: Development of superconductors, novel semiconductors, and topological materials.
Photon Sources: Single and entangled photon sources for communication and sensing.

Implementation Structure

Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs): Four hubs established in top academic and R&D institutes focused on:
1. Quantum Computing
2. Quantum Communication
3. Quantum Sensing & Metrology
4. Quantum Materials & Devices

Potential Impact

Boosts technology competitiveness in sectors like communication, health, finance, and energy.
Supports national initiatives: Digital India, Make in India, Skill India, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

High-Performance Computing (HPC) System

Infrastructure: The HPC system, located at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune and the National Center for Medium Range Weather Forecast (NCMRWF) in Noida, represents a substantial investment aimed at enhancing weather forecasting capabilities.
Project Details: The HPC system, named 'Arka' and 'Arunika', will significantly improve predictions for tropical cyclones, heavy precipitation, and other weather phenomena.

Supercomputers in India

Background: India's supercomputing program was initiated after the U.S. denied a request for the Cray X-MP in 1987.

Key Agencies Involved

Leading Agencies: C-DAC, C-DOT, NAL, BARC, ANURAG.
Developments:
1. C-DOT: CHIPPS, a high-performance parallel processing system.
2. BARC: Anupam series of supercomputers.
3. ANURAG: PACE series.

PARAM Series

Definition: "PARAM" means "supreme" and stands for "PARAllelMachine."
Milestones:
1. PARAM 8000: Launched in 1991; first gigaFLOPS range parallel computer.
2. PARAM 9000: Released in 1993 with 5 GFLOPS.
3. PARAM 10000: 38 GFLOPS sustained performance (1998).

Current Supercomputers

Fastest in India: AIRAWAT (75th globally) and PARAM Siddhi – AI.
TOP 500 List (June 2023):
1. AIRAWAT: Rmax 8.5 TFlop/s (75th rank)
2. PARAM Siddhi AI: Rmax 4.62 TFlop/s (131th rank)
3. Pratyush: Rmax 3.76 TFlop/s (169th rank)
4. Mihir: Rmax 2.57 TFlop/s (316th rank)

National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)

Announcement: Launched in 2015 to install 73 indigenous supercomputers by 2022.
Goals:
1. Establish a network of high-performance computing centres.
2. Enhance computing capacity in academic and research institutions.
Investment: $730 million (Rs. 4,500 crores) over seven years.
Achievements: Notable installations include PARAM Shivay, PARAM Pravega, and PARAM Siddhi-AI.

Conclusion

PM Modi concluded by congratulating citizens on these achievements and encouraging young researchers to leverage the new advanced facilities. The PARAM Rudra supercomputers and HPC systems signify a transformative leap in India’s scientific and technological landscape, with the potential to greatly impact everyday lives and strengthen national capabilities.