Miscellaneous Schemes under Ministry of Earth Sciences

Mission Mausam

• Purpose: To position India as a global leader in weather and climate sciences.
• Objective: Improve weather and climate services using precise observation, modelling, and forecasting.
• Beneficiaries: General public, disaster management authorities, agriculture, aviation, water resources, and rural development sectors.
• Timeline:
  • Phase I: 2024–26
  • Phase II: 2026–31
• Implementing Agencies:
  • India Meteorological Department (IMD)
  • Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)
  • National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF)

👉 In short, Mission Mausam is about making India weather-ready and climate-smart.

PRITHvi Vigyan (PRITHaVI)

• Nature: Overarching scheme (2021–26) covering multiple ongoing MoES schemes.
• Purpose: To address all aspects of Earth System Science → atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere.
• Components (Five Sub-schemes):
  1. ACROSS – Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (forecast services).
  2. O-SMART – Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources & Technology (marine & coastal R&D).
  3. PACER – Polar Science & Cryosphere Research (Antarctic, Arctic, Southern Ocean studies).
  4. SAGE – Seismology & Geosciences (seismological monitoring, micro-zonation, geotechnology).
  5. RDESS/REACHOUT – Research, Education, Training & Outreach (skilled manpower in Earth Sciences).

👉 This is India’s umbrella scheme for Earth Science research.

Knowledge Resource Centre Network (KRCNet)

• Aim: Upgrade MoES libraries into Knowledge Resource Centres (KRCs).
• Feature: All KRCs will be connected digitally via KRCNet portal.

Mausam App

• Aim: Provide user-friendly access to weather information.
• Services Offered:
  • Current Weather
  • Nowcast (localized hourly warnings)
  • City Forecast
  • Weather Warnings
  • Radar Products
• Platform: mausam.imd.gov.in

System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)

• Aim: Link air pollution mitigation with economic development.
• Key Features:
  • Provides location-specific air quality info in real time for metros.
  • Forecasts air quality 1–3 days in advance (first time in India).
  • Integrates weather parameters with air quality forecasts.

GAGAN Enabled Mariner’s Instrument for Navigation and Information (GEMINI) Device

• Aim: Provide disaster warnings and ocean forecasts to fishermen.
• How it works:
  • Receives data from GAGAN satellites.
  • Transfers it to a mobile phone via Bluetooth.
• Special Feature: Information available in 9 regional languages.

👉 It is a life-saving device for fishermen, ensuring safety at sea