MeitY launches Param Shakti supercomputer at IIT Madras for faster research
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology unveiled a new high‑performance computing hub on the IIT Madras campus this week, branding it Param Shakti. Designed as a national‑scale resource, the system promises to plug a gap that many research teams have long felt when trying to run large‑scale models or crunch massive data sets. By situating the machine within a leading engineering institute, the government hopes to streamline access for scientists across disciplines, from materials science to climate forecasting.
The launch follows a series of state‑backed networking projects, notably the National Knowledge Network, which already links dozens of publicly funded universities. While the hardware itself draws attention, officials stress that the real impact will be measured in how quickly experiments can move from theory to result. In that vein, the director of IIT Madras, V Kamakoti, underscored the broader strategy of weaving together computing infrastructure and academic collaboration to boost the country’s research capacity.
According to MeitY, the facility will help researchers reduce experimental timelines and handle complex simulations at scale. IIT Madras director V Kamakoti highlighted the role of government-led computing initiatives such as the National Knowledge Network, which connects centrally funded academic institutions. He urged students to focus on energy-efficient programming and effective sharing of GPU resources.
Addressing students and faculty, Krishnan said the institute's growing interdisciplinary research culture would benefit from the new system. "It is encouraging to see faculty and researchers from diverse departments coming together to use this facility and contribute meaningfully in their respective domains," he said. He added that India's supercomputing footprint was expanding steadily.
"With 37 supercomputers already installed across institutions nationwide and more in the pipeline, including the largest system planned for Bengaluru, these efforts are strengthening India's research and innovation ecosystem," Krishnan said.
MeitY’s inauguration of Param Shakti marks a concrete step toward expanding India’s high‑performance computing capacity. The 3.1‑petaflop system, built around the PARAM Rudra platform from CDAC, now resides at IIT Madras. According to the ministry, researchers will be able to shorten experimental timelines and run large‑scale simulations that were previously out of reach, potentially accelerating work across physics, climate modeling, and drug discovery.
V Kamakoti reminded listeners that this effort dovetails with other government‑led projects such as the National Knowledge Network, which already links centrally funded academic institutions. Yet, the actual uptake by scientific teams remains to be measured; early access protocols and training pipelines have not been detailed. Its impact remains uncertain.
Whether the promised gains in speed and scale will translate into measurable research outputs is still unclear. The facility’s indigenous design underscores a policy focus on self‑reliance, but its long‑term sustainability will depend on continued funding and effective integration with existing computational resources. For now, Param Shakti stands as a newly operational asset, its impact awaiting empirical validation.
Further Reading
- India launches next-gen supercomputing system at IIT Madras - India Today
- Param Shakti: IIT-M switches on one of India’s most powerful academic supercomputers - DT Next
- IIT Madras: India launches 'Param Shakti' supercomputer - Careers360 News
- NSM’s PARAM Shakti – 3.1PF Cluster @ IITM - IIT Madras (P.G. Senapathy Centre for Computing)
- National Supercomputing Mission and indigenous PARAM Rudra systems - Department of Science & Technology, Government of India
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Common Questions Answered
What is the computing capacity of the Param Shakti supercomputer launched by MeitY at IIT Madras?
The Param Shakti supercomputer delivers 3.1 petaflops of performance, making it one of India's most powerful high‑performance computing resources. Built on the PARAM Rudra platform from CDAC, it enables researchers to run large‑scale simulations that were previously unattainable.
How does the location of Param Shakti at IIT Madras benefit Indian researchers, according to MeitY?
By situating Param Shakti within IIT Madras, MeitY provides direct, campus‑based access for scientists across disciplines, reducing the need for remote resource allocation. The proximity also leverages the National Knowledge Network, facilitating faster data transfer and collaborative projects among centrally funded institutions.
Which research areas are expected to benefit most from the Param Shakti facility?
The ministry highlighted physics, climate modeling, and drug discovery as key domains that will see accelerated progress. The supercomputer’s ability to handle massive data sets and complex simulations shortens experimental timelines for these fields.
What guidance did IIT Madras director V. Kamakoti give regarding the use of Param Shakti’s GPU resources?
Kamakoti urged students and faculty to adopt energy‑efficient programming practices and to share GPU resources effectively. He emphasized that responsible usage will maximize the system’s impact while minimizing power consumption.