UPSC Prelims 2004 Q48: Science & Technology – Computer & Information Technology
Param Padam, which was in news recently, is
- (a) A new Civilian Award instituted by the Government of India
- (b) The name of a supercomputer developed by India
- (c) The name given to a proposed network of canals
- (d) A software programme to facilitate e - governance in Madhya Pradesh
Answer: (b) The name of a supercomputer developed by India
Explanation
Param Padma
| Option | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Supercomputer developed by India | Yes — PARAM Padma of C-DAC, 2003 |
| New civilian award | No |
| Proposed network of canals | No |
| e-governance software in Madhya Pradesh | No |
Param Padma is a supercomputer developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
Answer: (b) The name of a supercomputer developed by India.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Padma awards are civilian honours, but Param Padma is not one.
- (b) CORRECT. Param Padma is a C-DAC supercomputer.
- (c) Incorrect. It is not a canal network.
- (d) Incorrect. It is not an e-governance software.
Key point
PARAM series: PARAM 8000 (1991), 10000 (1998), Padma (2003); C-DAC Pune; Vijay Bhatkar.
Remember
Param Padma is a supercomputer built by C-DAC.
Common mistakes
- Reading Padma as a civilian award.
- Mixing it with the Cray supercomputer imports.
- Not linking the Param series with C-DAC.
Exam tip
Param = supreme; C-DAC supercomputers.
Sources
- C-DAC — PARAM series
- Department of Information Technology, Government of India — Annual Report 2003–04 (C-DAC: PARAM Padma)