PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Mission Mausam
1. At a Glance
- Mission Mausam is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to make India "weather-ready and climate-smart" by augmenting observation, modelling, and forecasting capacity [S2][S3].
- Operational since November 2024, with a two-year outlay of ₹2,000 crore (2024–2026) [S1][S2].
- UPSC relevance: GS-III (Science & Tech, Disaster Management), prelims-favourite for ministry/agency/number traps.
2. Why in the News
- 18 March 2026: Ministry of Earth Sciences placed a Parliament Reply in Lok Sabha detailing physical progress — instrument commissioning, agency-wise implementation [S1].
- 24 April 2026: IITM Pune inaugurated an X-band Dual-Polarization Doppler Weather Radar at the High Altitude Cloud Physics Laboratory (HACPL), Mahabaleshwar, and signed an MoU with ISRO's Space Applications Centre (SAC) under Mission Mausam [S4].
3. Background & Evolution
- 11 September 2024: Union Cabinet approved Mission Mausam with ₹2,000 crore for 2 years [S2][S3].
- November 2024: Scheme became operational [S1].
- Builds on prior MoES programmes (ACROSS, Monsoon Mission, Hi-Performance Computing) to upgrade observational density and AI-based modelling [S3].
4. Core Static Facts
- Parent Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (NOT MoEFCC) [S2].
- Implementing Agencies (3) — all MoES bodies [S1][S2]:
- India Meteorological Department (IMD), New Delhi
- National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Noida
- Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune
- Scheme type: Central Sector Scheme [S2].
- Outlay: ₹2,000 crore over 2024–2026 [S2][S3].
- Physical targets (under IMD) [S1]:
- 53 Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs)
- 60 Radiosonde/Radiowind (RS/RW) stations
- 100 Disdrometers
- 10 Wind Profilers
- 25 Microwave Radiometers
- 55 Solar Radiation Monitoring stations (augmentation)
- 10 Aerosol/Raman LiDARs
- 20 Skyradiometers
- Other deliverables: urban testbeds, cloud chamber for weather modification research (IITM Pune), atmospheric chemistry instruments for air-quality [S3].
5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis
Scientific / Technological - Densification of upper-air observation (radiosondes, wind profilers, radiometers) plugs known gaps in input data for Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models [S1]. - India's first cloud chamber at IITM Pune will allow controlled study of cloud microphysics and weather modification (cloud seeding) science [S3]. - AI/ML and HPC integration via NCMRWF for sub-km, panchayat-level forecasts [S3].
Administrative - Three-agency split: IMD (observation + services), NCMRWF (modelling), IITM (research) — a vertical division of meteorological workflow [S1]. - Demand-side users span 12+ sectors: agriculture, disaster mgmt, defence, aviation, water, power, tourism, shipping, energy, health [S2].
Environmental / Disaster Management - Aims at improving Early Warning Systems for cyclones, heatwaves, cloudbursts, lightning — aligned with Sendai Framework commitments [S2]. - Strengthens India's adaptation under NAPCC and UNFCCC NDCs by giving granular climate risk data [S2].
Economic - Last-mile forecasts intended to support 2.6 lakh Panchayats, agriculture insurance (PMFBY), power load forecasting, and aviation safety [S2].
6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)
- Sep 2024: Cabinet approval of ₹2,000 crore [S2].
- Nov 2024: Scheme operationalised [S1].
- Mar 2026 (18 Mar): Lok Sabha reply listing instrument-wise targets [S1].
- Apr 2026 (24 Apr): X-band DWR commissioned at Mahabaleshwar; IITM–SAC (ISRO) MoU signed [S4].
7. Prelims Hooks
- Mission Mausam is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences [S2].
- Cabinet approval: September 2024; operational from November 2024 [S1][S2].
- Total outlay: ₹2,000 crore for 2 years (2024-26) [S2].
- Three implementing agencies: IMD, NCMRWF (Noida), IITM (Pune) [S1].
- Targets include 53 DWRs, 60 RS/RW stations, 100 Disdrometers, 10 Wind Profilers, 25 Microwave Radiometers [S1].
- 10 Aerosol/Raman LiDARs and 20 Skyradiometers for atmospheric composition [S1].
- Solar Radiation Monitoring Network to be augmented to 55 stations [S1].
- India's first Cloud Chamber for weather modification research is being set up at IITM Pune [S3].
- New X-band Doppler Weather Radar inaugurated at HACPL, Mahabaleshwar on 24 April 2026 [S4].
- MoU under Mission Mausam: IITM – ISRO's Space Applications Centre (SAC) [S4].
- NCMRWF is located at Noida (not Pune) [S1].
8. Mains Relevance
- GS-III: Science & Technology — indigenisation of forecasting; Disaster Management — early warning systems; Environment — climate adaptation.
- Syllabus headings: "Awareness in space, IT… ; Disaster and disaster management; Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation".
- Plausible question stems: 1. "Discuss how Mission Mausam addresses gaps in India's weather observation and forecasting architecture." 2. "Accurate, hyper-local weather forecasting is now a strategic necessity for India. Examine in light of Mission Mausam." 3. "Critically evaluate India's preparedness for extreme weather events with reference to recent institutional initiatives."
9. Related Topics to Study Next
- Monsoon Mission — predecessor MoES programme on coupled ocean-atmosphere modelling.
- ACROSS scheme — umbrella scheme for atmospheric & climate research services.
- National Disaster Management Plan / Sendai Framework — links to EWS obligations.
- INSAT-3DS / Oceansat satellites (ISRO) — meteorological satellite data feed.
- Common Alert Protocol (CAP) & SACHET — dissemination of warnings.
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) — adaptation policy umbrella.
- Deep Ocean Mission — sister MoES flagship.
- Weather modification / cloud seeding regulation in India — policy gap area.
10. Common Errors / Trap Areas
- Ministry mix-up: Mission Mausam is under MoES, not MoEFCC or Ministry of Science & Technology.
- Agency locations: NCMRWF = Noida, IITM = Pune (commonly swapped).
- Outlay: ₹2,000 crore is for two years, not annual.
- Cabinet approval (Sep 2024) ≠ operationalisation (Nov 2024) — both dates are testable.
- Mission Mausam is not a weather-modification scheme per se; cloud seeding is one R&D component, not the headline objective.
11. Sources
- [S1] PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Mission Mausam (18 Mar 2026), MoES — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2241700 — (tier 1)
- [S2] Cabinet approves 'Mission Mausam' … ₹2,000 crore, PIB — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2053896 — (tier 1)
- [S3] Mission Mausam Unveiled: A 2,000 Crore initiative…, PIB — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2054427 — (tier 1)
- [S4] IITM Inaugurates X-Band DWR at Mahabaleshwar; MoU with ISRO SAC, PIB — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2255652 — (tier 1)