National Supercomputing Mission

National Supercomputing Mission
Name	National Supercomputing Mission
Country	India
Ministry	Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Agency	Department of Science and Technology
Key people	Ashutosh Sharma, Kris Gopalakrishnan
Launched	2015
Status	Ongoing
Budget	₹4,500 crore

National Supercomputing Mission. The National Supercomputing Mission is a pivotal initiative by the Government of India to create a robust, high-performance computing ecosystem. Jointly steered by the Department of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, it aims to position India as a global leader in computational research. The mission focuses on deploying supercomputing infrastructure across academic and research institutions to empower scientists and engineers.

Overview

Conceived in 2015, the mission represents a strategic national effort to bridge the technological gap in high-performance computing. It was formally approved by the Union Cabinet with a significant outlay, marking a major investment in the nation's scientific infrastructure. The initiative is designed to create a network of supercomputing facilities, fostering a culture of advanced computational science. This network supports a wide array of research domains, from fundamental science to applied engineering challenges.

Objectives

The primary objectives include establishing a vast network of over 70 high-performance computing facilities across the country. A core goal is to develop indigenous supercomputing technology, reducing dependence on foreign imports and building domestic expertise. The mission seeks to provide computational resources to researchers in Indian Institutes of Technology, National Institutes of Technology, universities, and laboratories. It also aims to train a large cadre of personnel in parallel programming and supercomputing applications to sustain the ecosystem.

Implementation and Infrastructure

Implementation is structured in phases, with each phase targeting progressively higher computational power measured in petaFLOPS. The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing plays a leading role in assembling and deploying the systems. Infrastructure development involves setting up high-speed National Knowledge Network connectivity to link all supercomputing hubs. The mission emphasizes a three-tier architecture, ranging from large national facilities to smaller departmental clusters, ensuring wide accessibility.

Key Supercomputers and Facilities

Notable systems deployed include **PARAM Shivay**, the first under the mission, installed at Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi. **PARAM Brahma** was established at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune. One of the most powerful systems, **PARAM Siddhi-AI**, developed in collaboration with NVIDIA, is hosted at the C-DAC. Major facilities are also operational at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, and Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Applications and Impact

Applications span critical areas such as weather forecasting, where it aids the India Meteorological Department, and drug discovery for institutions like the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. Researchers utilize it for complex simulations in aerospace engineering, computational fluid dynamics, and astrophysics. The mission has accelerated projects in national security, urban planning, and genomics. Its impact is evident in enhanced research publications, innovative startups, and advanced projects undertaken by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Space Research Organisation.

Governance and Collaborations

Governance is overseen by an Apex Committee co-chaired by secretaries of the DST and MeitY. An Empowered Steering Committee, with members like Kris Gopalakrishnan, provides strategic guidance. Key implementation partners include the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing and the Indian Institute of Science. The mission fosters collaborations with international entities and industry leaders such as Intel, AMD, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. It also aligns with broader national policies like the National Education Policy 2020 and Digital India.

Category:Science and technology in India Category:Supercomputers Category:Government projects in India