Param Shakti: IIT-M Switches on One of India’s Most Powerful Academic Supercomputers
On January 8, 2026, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) marked a significant milestone in India’s technological advancement with the launch of Param Shakti, a state-of-the-art supercomputing facility. This supercomputer, operational since May 2025, is a testament to India’s commitment to achieving technological self-reliance and enhancing its research capabilities.
Overview of Param Shakti
Param Shakti is an indigenously built supercomputer capable of executing over 3.1 quadrillion calculations per second, making it one of the most powerful academic supercomputers in India. The system is built using the RUDRA series of servers developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and is powered by open-source software.
Inauguration and Key Figures
The inauguration of Param Shakti was officiated by S Krishnan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The project is part of the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), which aims to enhance supercomputing facilities in India. The NSM is a collaborative initiative between MeitY and the Department of Science and Technology.
Utilization and Demand
Since its launch, Param Shakti has demonstrated a remarkable utilization rate of over 80 percent, indicating a strong demand from the research community. This high level of usage underscores the importance of supercomputing in various fields of study.
Applications and Research Areas
The supercomputer is designed to support a wide range of cutting-edge research, including:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Climate Modelling
- Advanced Materials
- Combustion Studies
- Nuclear Sciences
- Drug Discovery
In these fields, large-scale simulations are increasingly replacing traditional experimental trials, allowing researchers to conduct complex analyses more efficiently and cost-effectively.
Statements from Key Officials
During the inauguration, S Krishnan highlighted IIT-M’s growing interdisciplinary strength and the NSM’s support for application-driven research that delivers tangible impacts. He mentioned that India has already deployed 37 supercomputers nationwide, with more systems planned, including a flagship supercomputer for Bengaluru. This expansion is expected to significantly strengthen India’s research ecosystem.
V Kamakoti, the Director of IIT-M, emphasized the importance of developing energy-efficient, secure, and resource-sharing software to maximize the utility of supercomputing resources. E Magesh, the Director General of C-DAC, also spoke about the organization’s journey in building indigenous high-performance computing platforms, which has culminated in the creation of Param Shakti.
Future Prospects
The introduction of Param Shakti is a pivotal step in enhancing India’s capabilities in high-performance computing. It is expected to foster innovation and research across various scientific disciplines. Furthermore, the IndiaAI Mission’s strategy of supporting multiple GPU architectures will help avoid technological dependence on foreign systems, ensuring that India remains at the forefront of technological advancements.
Conclusion
Param Shakti represents a significant leap forward in India’s academic and research landscape. With its powerful computational capabilities, it is poised to support a wide array of scientific inquiries and technological developments, thereby contributing to the nation’s goal of becoming a global leader in technology and innovation.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on data available as of January 2026.
