Supercomputer in India: History, Uses, National Supercomputing Mission

Supercomputer in India: Computers have become an integral part of our daily lives. We use them in schools, offices, banks, and even at home. However, some computers are far more powerful than the ones we use daily. These are called supercomputers. A supercomputer can solve problems much faster than a normal computer.  It can perform millions of calculations in just one second. Scientists, engineers, and researchers use supercomputers for very difficult tasks.  

Supercomputer in India helps in weather forecasts, space research, medicine, and national security. In India, supercomputers play a very important role. They help our scientists study the monsoon, predict cyclones, develop new medicines, and even design advanced technology. 

Supercomputer in India

The history of supercomputers in India began in the late 1980s. At that time, India wanted to buy a supercomputer from the United States. However, the request was denied due to security reasons. This challenge motivated Indian scientists to build their own supercomputers.

• The first success came with PARAM 8000, developed in 1991 by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune. With PARAM 8000, India entered the list of countries with supercomputing power.

• India has made great progress in the field of supercomputers in the present. Several supercomputers have been built under projects like the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).

• NSM was launched by the Government of India in 2015. It aims to set up a large network of supercomputers across the country for research in different fields.

Fastest Supercomputer in India

The title of the fastest supercomputer in India in 2025 belongs to Pratyush and Mihir, two powerful machines used for weather and climate research. Pratyush is located at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune. Mihir is present at the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Noida. Together, they form India’s strongest computing system for weather prediction. The important features of the Supercomputers in India, including Pratyush and Mihir, are:

• Speed: 6.8 petaflops (1 petaflop = one quadrillion calculations per second).

• Purpose: Used to study monsoons, cyclones, and climate change.

• Global Rank: They are among the top 100 supercomputers in the world.

Top 5 Supercomputer in India

India is home to many advanced supercomputers. These supercomputers have been built with the support of the National Supercomputing Mission. They help Indian researchers work on global challenges like climate change, health, and technology development. The list of the top 5 supercomputers in India and their uses is provided in the table below:

Father of Supercomputer in India

The Father of Supercomputer in India is Dr. Vijay Bhatkar. He is one of the most respected scientists in the country. India today has its own supercomputing mission because of its mission and continues to build stronger machines.

He led the team that developed PARAM 8000 in 1991, India’s first supercomputer and also guided the creation of PARAM 10000 and later models.

• His work made India independent in supercomputing at a time when foreign countries refused to sell this technology to us.

• He is the founder of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). Dr. Bhatkar has written many books on science and technology.

• He has received national awards, including the Padma Bhushan. He showed that Indian scientists can achieve world-class success with dedication and teamwork.

Supercomputers in the World

Supercomputers are not only important in India but across the globe. Countries like the United States, China, and Japan lead in this field. They are the backbone of modern research. They are used to design aircraft, study black holes, fight diseases, and even create new energy solutions. India’s focus on this area shows our commitment to becoming a leader in science and technology. The top supercomputers in the world as of 2025 are provided in the table below:

National Supercomputing Mission

The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) was initiated by the Government of India in 2015. The primary aim of this mission is to make India strong in the field of supercomputing. Several supercomputers like PARAM Siddhi-AI, Pratyush, Mihir, and PARAM Shivay have been installed under this mission. With the success of NSM, India is moving closer to becoming one of the top countries in the world for supercomputing power.

• It was launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

• The work is being carried out by two important groups: the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

• The NSM also focuses on the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Most of the parts, software, and systems of the supercomputers are being made in India itself.