The Government of India is significantly strengthening scientific research, training and forecasting capabilities in weather and climate sciences through major initiatives led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The efforts include expansion of human resource development programmes, international collaborations, advanced forecasting technologies and the nationwide implementation of Mission Mausam to improve early warning systems and climate services.
The information was presented in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State Independent Charge for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh in response to parliamentary questions.
Strengthening Training And Research In Earth Sciences
The Ministry of Earth Sciences has introduced several programmes to build skilled manpower in meteorology, oceanography and related Earth system science disciplines. These initiatives focus on supporting higher education, specialised research training and capacity building for scientists, students and professionals working in weather and climate sciences.
The ministry supports postgraduate and doctoral programmes through its research institutions and provides fellowships such as Junior Research Fellowships, Senior Research Fellowships and Research Associateships to encourage scientific research in atmospheric sciences, ocean sciences and geosciences.
A major initiative in this area is the REACHOUT programme, under which the ministry supports an MTech programme in Ocean Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. The programme aims to develop technical expertise in ocean observation systems, marine engineering and ocean data analysis.
In addition, the ministry has launched the Development of Skilled Manpower in Earth System Sciences programme, known as DESK, to bridge the gap between academic learning and the operational requirements of government institutions involved in weather forecasting and climate research.
The DESK programme focuses on training young scientists and researchers in specialised areas such as weather modelling, climate analysis, ocean forecasting, atmospheric dynamics and Earth system modelling.
International Training And Regional Cooperation
To expand training opportunities and international collaboration, the ministry has established several specialised training centres. One of the key institutions is the International Training Centre for Operational Oceanography located at the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services in Hyderabad.
This centre is recognised as a UNESCO Category Two Centre and also functions as a Regional Training Centre under the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange programme. The centre provides training to both national and international participants, particularly from countries of the Indian Ocean region.
The centre conducts advanced training programmes in ocean forecasting, marine data management and operational oceanography for scientists, researchers and professionals working in ocean science institutions.
Another important regional initiative is the BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate at the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting. The centre conducts training programmes, workshops and technical capacity building activities for member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.
These programmes help strengthen regional cooperation in weather forecasting, climate monitoring and disaster preparedness.
Meteorological Training Centres Across India
The India Meteorological Department also conducts regular training programmes through specialised training centres located in Pune, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata. These centres organise refresher courses, technical training programmes and operational forecasting workshops for meteorologists and weather scientists.
The training centres at Pune and New Delhi are recognised as Regional Training Centres by the World Meteorological Organization. These centres play an important role in strengthening professional training for meteorologists from India as well as from neighbouring countries.
Scientists and officers of the Ministry of Earth Sciences and its affiliated institutions are also deputed to participate in specialised training programmes organised by universities, research institutes and international organisations.
Internships And Academic Collaboration
The ministry and its institutions regularly advertise internship opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students twice each year. These internships provide students with exposure to operational meteorology, climate research and oceanographic observations.
Several universities and academic institutions have also signed Memoranda of Understanding with organisations under the Ministry of Earth Sciences to promote collaborative research activities.
These collaborations allow faculty members, research scholars and students to work jointly with scientists from government research institutes on projects related to meteorology, oceanography, climate modelling, seismology and polar research.
The ministry also provides extramural funding for research projects in key scientific fields including atmospheric sciences, ocean sciences, geosciences, hydrology, cryosphere studies and seismology.
Public Outreach And Climate Awareness
Alongside scientific training and research, the ministry conducts public outreach and awareness programmes to promote understanding of climate change, disaster preparedness and environmental conservation.
Under the outreach component of the REACHOUT programme, awareness campaigns are organised in schools, colleges and research institutions to educate students and the public about weather systems, climate variability and environmental sustainability.
Institutions under the ministry regularly organise public lectures, workshops, exhibitions and scientific outreach programmes. These activities are often held during important international observances such as World Meteorological Day and World Oceans Day.
Coastal clean up drives and Earth science awareness campaigns are also conducted in collaboration with state governments, educational institutions and local organisations.
Dissemination Of Weather Advisories
The Ministry of Earth Sciences has also expanded the dissemination of weather forecasts and early warnings to rural and vulnerable populations through multiple communication channels.
Weather information and advisories are shared through web portals, mobile applications, television broadcasts, radio programmes, social media platforms and SMS alert systems.
Institutions such as the India Meteorological Department and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services provide location specific forecasts and warnings related to cyclones, storm surges, ocean conditions and other extreme weather events.
These advisories are shared with state governments, disaster management authorities, fishermen and farming communities. Local administration and community networks further distribute the information to ensure wider reach in rural and coastal areas.
Global Scientific Collaboration
The Ministry of Earth Sciences actively promotes international collaboration in research and education through partnerships with leading global institutions and organisations.
The ministry participates in international programmes such as the Weather and Climate Science for Service Partnership with the United Kingdom Met Office and the MoES United Kingdom Momentum Partnership.
Another major collaboration is the Monsoon Desk initiative under the Monsoon Mission programme conducted jointly with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States to improve monsoon forecasting.
The ministry also participates in global research networks such as the Belmont Forum and works closely with international organisations including the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Development Programme.
Collaborative research projects are conducted with scientific agencies in countries such as Germany, Norway, France, Japan, Sweden, Australia and Switzerland as well as with institutions such as the United States Geological Survey.
These partnerships enable exchange of scientists, joint research programmes and development of advanced forecasting technologies.
Mission Mausam To Strengthen Weather Forecasting
The government has launched Mission Mausam as a major national initiative to enhance the accuracy, reliability and timeliness of weather forecasting and early warning systems in India.
The mission is being implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences through key institutions including the India Meteorological Department, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting.
Mission Mausam focuses on strengthening weather observation networks, improving numerical weather prediction models and expanding high performance computing infrastructure.
The mission also integrates advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and satellite observations to improve forecasting capabilities.
The programme aims to make India a weather ready and climate smart nation capable of effectively responding to extreme weather events and climate variability.
The mission is being implemented in multiple phases and is scheduled to continue until 2031.
Expansion Of Weather Observation Infrastructure
Under Mission Mausam, the ministry is expanding the national observation network through installation of additional Automatic Weather Stations, Automated Rain Gauges and Doppler Weather Radars.
These instruments provide high resolution meteorological data which helps improve the accuracy of forecasting models.
The ministry has also developed advanced numerical weather prediction models capable of generating high resolution forecasts at district and sub district levels.
A major new observational facility known as the Atmospheric Research Testbed Central India has been established at Silkheda village in Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh.
The facility is located in the core monsoon zone of central India and is designed to study cloud formation, rainfall processes and land atmosphere interactions that influence monsoon variability.
Dissemination And Impact Based Forecasting
Weather forecasts and warnings are disseminated through several digital platforms including the MAUSAM, MEGHDOOT and DAMINI mobile applications.
Alerts are also delivered through SMS services, television broadcasts, radio announcements and social media platforms to ensure that information reaches people across urban and rural regions.
Impact based forecasting systems provide colour coded warnings and risk assessments to help authorities prepare for extreme weather events such as cyclones, floods and heat waves.
Sector specific advisories are also issued to farmers, disaster management agencies and other stakeholders.
Improved Cyclone Forecasting And Early Warning Systems
Mission Mausam has contributed to significant improvements in cyclone forecasting and early warning systems, particularly in coastal states.
A comparison of cyclone forecasting accuracy between the periods 2016–2020 and 2021–2025 shows notable improvements.
Landfall forecast errors for cyclones during 2021–2025 declined to 19 kilometres for 24 hour forecasts and 34.4 kilometres for 48 hour forecasts compared with 31.9 kilometres and 61.5 kilometres respectively during 2016–2020.
Intensity forecasting accuracy also improved significantly with error reductions of up to 35 to 45 percent.
Improved lead times have also been achieved. Forecast accuracy that previously required 24 hours of lead time can now be achieved up to 48 hours in advance.
Reduction In Cyclone Related Casualties
The improvement in forecasting accuracy and early warning dissemination has significantly reduced the loss of life during cyclones in recent years.
For example, Cyclone Biparjoy in Gujarat during 2023 resulted in zero deaths. Cyclone Dana in Odisha also resulted in zero deaths due to timely evacuation and preparedness.
Other cyclones such as Cyclone Michaung in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh during 2023 resulted in 19 deaths while Cyclone Fengal in Tamil Nadu in 2024 resulted in 10 deaths.
Cyclone Montha in Andhra Pradesh in 2025 resulted in 8 deaths.
These numbers represent a dramatic decline compared with the 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone which caused thousands of fatalities.
The reduction in casualties has been attributed to timely warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department and effective evacuation measures taken by state governments.
Strengthening Weather Infrastructure In Odisha
Weather observation infrastructure has also been expanded in coastal states such as Odisha.
Currently the state has 39 manned surface meteorological observatories, 29 Automatic Weather Stations and 136 Automated Rain Gauge stations.
The state also has six High Wind Speed Recorders, weather observation systems at four airports and two Doppler Weather Radars located at Paradip and Gopalpur.
In addition, a Flood Meteorological Office and a Cyclone Warning Centre operate continuously at the India Meteorological Department office in Bhubaneswar.
Under Mission Mausam, additional radar systems are planned for Odisha including C Band Doppler Weather Radars at Sambalpur and Balasore and an X Band radar at Bhubaneswar. Another S Band radar is proposed for installation at Puri.
These new systems will further strengthen cyclone monitoring, rainfall prediction and early warning services for coastal regions.
Supporting Agriculture Fisheries And Disaster Preparedness
The improvements in forecasting and climate services under Mission Mausam are expected to provide benefits across several sectors.
In agriculture, improved weather forecasts support crop planning, irrigation management and protection against extreme weather events.
In the fisheries sector, ocean advisories issued by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services help ensure the safety of fishermen and improve fishing operations through identification of Potential Fishing Zones.
For disaster management authorities, improved forecasts allow early evacuation planning, efficient relief operations and better protection of vulnerable communities.
Toward A Weather Ready Nation
Officials said Mission Mausam represents a comprehensive effort to modernise India’s weather forecasting systems and strengthen national resilience to climate related risks.
Through expansion of observation networks, integration of advanced computing technologies and improved dissemination systems, the mission aims to ensure that accurate weather information reaches every region of the country.
The initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Earth Sciences are expected to significantly enhance India’s ability to monitor climate variability, predict extreme weather events and support sustainable development across multiple sectors.
