IIT Madras Launches 3.1 Petaflop Indigenous Supercomputer ‘Param Shakti’
On January 10, 2026, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras unveiled its latest achievement in high-performance computing with the launch of the indigenous supercomputer named Param Shakti. This groundbreaking system signifies a substantial advancement in India’s computational capabilities, enabling researchers to tackle complex challenges across various scientific domains.
High Computing Power and Capabilities
Param Shakti boasts an impressive processing power of 3.1 petaflops, which translates to over 3.1 quadrillion calculations per second. This remarkable capability positions it among the most powerful computing facilities in India. The enhanced performance of Param Shakti is expected to significantly accelerate research and development efforts, allowing scientists and engineers to conduct experiments more efficiently and with greater accuracy.
Applications of Param Shakti
The advanced computing capacity of Param Shakti will support cutting-edge research in several key sectors, including:
- Aerospace
- Materials Science
- Climate Modelling
- Drug Discovery
- Advanced Manufacturing
By facilitating research in these critical areas, Param Shakti aims to enhance India’s competitiveness on a global scale in essential technologies.
Fully Indigenous Development
Param Shakti is a product of entirely indigenous development, constructed at IIT Madras’s Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). The supercomputer utilizes C-DAC’s RUDRA server series and operates on open-source software. This initiative aligns with the Indian government’s vision for self-reliance in advanced digital infrastructure and technology.
Part of the Param Rudra Cluster
This supercomputer is an integral component of the Param Rudra supercomputing cluster. The cluster is designed with advanced infrastructure that includes:
- Round-the-clock power supply
- Advanced cooling solutions
- Robust data center operations
The development of Param Shakti has been funded under the National Supercomputing Mission, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Strengthening India’s Research Ecosystem
The National Supercomputing Mission is aimed at bolstering India’s research ecosystem by supporting a variety of application-driven projects with dedicated funding. According to IIT Madras officials, 37 supercomputers have already been installed across various institutions in India, with plans for additional systems, including the largest supercomputer planned in Bengaluru. This initiative is expected to collectively enhance India’s research and innovation landscape.
Focus on Technology Diversity
MeitY has adopted a strategic approach to avoid promoting a single technology or GPU type. Instead, the mission emphasizes enabling access to multiple GPU architectures. This strategy allows innovators, scientists, and researchers to gain broad exposure and develop capabilities across diverse platforms, fostering a more versatile and adaptable research environment.
Conclusion
The launch of Param Shakti marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a leader in high-performance computing. By providing advanced computational resources, this indigenous supercomputer will empower researchers and industries to solve complex problems more effectively, driving innovation and growth in critical sectors.
Note: The information presented in this article reflects the status as of January 2026. For ongoing updates and developments in the field of supercomputing and technology, readers are encouraged to follow relevant news sources.
