Approach to the answer:
Intro (definition + context)
Applications (multi-sector)
Significance of NSM (strategic, R&D, global)
Challenges
Conclusion (link to Atmanirbhar Bharat + Digital India + global leadership)
Answer:
Supercomputers are high-performance machines capable of executing quadrillions of calculations per second, measured in FLOPs (Floating-Point Operations per Second). India, once denied access to Cray X-MP in 1987, has since built indigenous capabilities through the PARAM series and the National Supercomputing Mission.
Applications of Supercomputers:
Weather Forecasting:
- Process satellite, radar, and sensor data for accurate forecasts. For example, Pratyush and Mihir simulate monsoon behaviour, cyclones, and climate variability while Derecho supercomputer (USA) is being used to study geoengineering effects on rainfall.
Healthcare:
- Super Computers enable genomic sequencing and drug discovery at unprecedented speed. For example, Stanford University researchers achieved the Guinness World Record for the fastest genomic sequencing using supercomputers.
Space Exploration
- Simulations of aerodynamics, turbulence, and spacecraft conditions can be done using Super Computers. For example, GE Aerospace is using Frontier supercomputer to test open-fan jet engines for lower CO₂ emissions.
Defence Research:
- SC enables virtual testing of nuclear weapons and advanced military simulations. For Example, India’s PARAM Siddhi-AI aids defence R&D.
Energy Exploration:
- SC aids seismic data processing at a faster speed for identifying reserves besides optimising nuclear fusion simulations such as Summit, Frontier in the US.
Environmental Monitoring:
- Supercomputers are used to predict smog, pollution, and disaster management. For Example, Tianhe-1A of China is used for regional smog predictions.
Significance of the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM):
Strategic Self-Reliance:
- India moved from dependence to indigenisation:
- PARAM Shivay (2019, IIT-BHU): first under NSM.
- PARAM Rudra (2024): India’s first indigenous HPC (High-Performance Computing) server-based supercomputer.
- Reduces reliance on foreign suppliers for critical computing.
Boost to R&D & Innovation:
- Supports academic & research institutions through the National Knowledge Network (NKN) across areas such as drug discovery, AI, disaster management, agriculture models, and space research.
Capacity Building & Skill Development:
- 5 HPC training centres are being set up at centres such as Pune, Kharagpur, Chennai, Palakkad, and Goa.
- Developing human capital for future AI, quantum computing, and HPC demands.
Global Recognition:
- AIRAWAT ranked 75th in ISC Top 500 list, positioning India among AI supercomputing nations.
- 4 Indian systems feature in the Top 500 list such as AIRAWAT, PARAM Siddhi-AI, Pratyush, and Mihir.
Startup Ecosystem Support:
- Provides AI and HPC compute resources to startups and MSMEs for innovation.
- Enables collaboration between industry, academia, and government.
Future Targets:
- Phase 3 of NSM: Full indigenisation of hardware and software stack.
- Goal: 73 supercomputers across India, 100+ petaflops capacity, global leadership in HPC.
Challenges:
- High energy consumption (up to 4 MW per supercomputer).
- Need for indigenous semiconductor ecosystem.
- Bridging digital divide to ensure equitable access for Tier-II/III institutions.
- Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in AI-HPC integration.
Conclusion:
Through NSM, India is not only reducing its technological dependence but also emerging as a global hub for AI-driven supercomputing. By linking research, innovation, and industry applications, NSM can enable India to tackle grand challenges like climate change, pandemic preparedness, and defence readiness.
‘+1’ Value Addition:
- AIRAWAT, India’s AI supercomputer, which is ranked 75th globally, supports AI-based health research.
- NASA’s Aitken runs high-resolution Artemis moon mission simulations.
- The Frontier supercomputer (USA) is the world’s fastest with a peak speed of 1.1 exaFLOPs.
- India has 4 systems in the Top 500 supercomputers list, 2023.
- AIRAWAT (Rank 75): India’s AI supercomputing platform.
- PARAM Siddhi AI (Rank 131): C-DAC Pune, focused on AI and national security applications.
- Pratyush (Rank 169): Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune for weather forecasting.
- Mihir (Rank 316): NCMRWF, Noida for medium-range weather forecasts.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
