India's first and fastest multi-petaflops supercomputer "Pratyush" was designed under which Union Ministry of the Government of India?

Introduction / Context:
Supercomputing capability is important for advanced scientific research, including weather forecasting, climate modelling, and ocean studies. India has commissioned several high performance computing systems for these purposes. "Pratyush" is a notable multi petaflops supercomputer that marked a significant step forward in India's computing power. This question asks you to identify the Union Ministry under whose ambit this supercomputer was designed and installed.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The supercomputer in question is "Pratyush," described as India's first and fastest multi petaflops system.
• Options list the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Defence, and Department of Space.
• We assume awareness that Pratyush is used heavily for weather and climate related computations.
• The focus is on the administrative ministry responsible for it.

Concept / Approach:
"Pratyush" is primarily used for numerical weather prediction, climate research, and studies of monsoon, cyclones, and ocean dynamics. These areas fall under the domain of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, which oversees institutions such as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. Consequently, the supercomputer was designed and deployed under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Although advanced electronics and computing technology are involved, the purpose and institutional home connect it more directly to Earth Sciences than to defence or space agencies.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Pratyush is heavily associated with improved weather forecasting and climate modelling for India.Step 2: Connect weather and climate services in India with the Ministry of Earth Sciences, which is responsible for IMD and related organisations.Step 3: Recognise that while the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology deals with digital policies, it is not the primary sponsor of weather supercomputers.Step 4: Note that Ministry of Defence and Department of Space use high performance computing for their own research, but Pratyush is specifically tied to Earth science applications.Step 5: Select Ministry of Earth Sciences as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
News reports and official press releases on the inauguration of Pratyush frequently mention the Ministry of Earth Sciences and highlight its role in improving monsoon and cyclone forecasts. They describe Pratyush as installed at centres under this ministry, reinforcing the connection. By contrast, supercomputers used by defence or space agencies are typically referenced in other contexts and programmes, helping to distinguish Pratyush from those systems.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology: While this ministry deals with digital policies and IT promotion, it is not the primary sponsor of this weather focused supercomputer.
• Ministry of Defence: Defence research organisations may have their own computing infrastructure, but Pratyush is focused on meteorology and climate, not defence specific tasks.
• Department of Space: This department runs the space programme and may use supercomputers, but Pratyush is explicitly linked to Earth Sciences and meteorological research.

Common Pitfalls:
Because supercomputers involve advanced electronics and are often used in defence and space research, candidates sometimes assume that any major supercomputer must be under those departments. Another confusion comes from not linking the name Pratyush with weather and climate services. To avoid such errors, connect Pratyush with monsoon and cyclone forecasting and remember that these fall under the Ministry of Earth Sciences in India.

Final Answer:
India's multi petaflops supercomputer "Pratyush" was designed and deployed under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.