A Milestone on Makar Sankranti
On January 14, 2025, as India celebrated Makar Sankranti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Mission Mausam—a visionary step towards modernising India’s weather prediction systems. The occasion also marked the 150th anniversary of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has been guiding India’s agriculture, transport, and disaster response for generations. Mission Mausam now pushes IMD into a technology-driven future with sharper forecasts and real-time outreach for all.
From Forecasts to Action: What the Mission Does
With an initial ₹2,000 crore budget, Mission Mausam focuses on improving data modelling, building weather labs, upgrading alerts, and making forecasts available across sectors. Farmers can now expect localized rain warnings, while pilots, doctors, and tourists will benefit from precise real-time weather intelligence.
This project also supports key sectors like:
- Agriculture – Rainfall predictions for sowing and irrigation
- Aviation – Safety updates for takeoffs and landings
- Defence – Field operations in extreme climates
- Tourism – Alerts for safe travel
- Health – Forecasts for pollution and heatwaves
- Disaster Response – Warnings for floods, cyclones, and heat stress
In short, it connects science to everyday life, one alert at a time.
Building Weather Inside a Lab: Pune’s Cloud Chamber
One of the boldest goals of Mission Mausam is weather modification—making rain happen or reducing fog. For this, the government plans to build a high-tech cloud chamber at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune. This setup will allow scientists to study how droplets form into rain—offering insight into cloud seeding, a process used to artificially increase rainfall.
Think of it like simulating a mini monsoon inside a box, helping researchers shape India’s weather toolkit for drought or storm mitigation.
A Network of Excellence: Who’s Behind the Mission?
Three key institutions are driving the mission:
- IMD (India Meteorological Department) – Founded in 1875, IMD handles daily forecasts, cyclones, and severe weather alerts.
- IITM Pune – Specialises in climate science, monsoon modelling, and air quality.
- NCMRWF Noida – Focuses on medium-range forecasts and ocean-weather interactions.
Together, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, they bring innovation, experience, and coordination to Mission Mausam’s execution.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS
| Topic | Detail |
| Launch Date | January 14, 2025 (Makar Sankranti) |
| Occasion | 150th Anniversary of IMD (Founded in 1875) |
| Budget Allocation | ₹2,000 crore for first two years |
| Main Institutions Involved | IMD, IITM Pune, NCMRWF Noida |
| Ministry in Charge | Ministry of Earth Sciences |
| Research Lab Announced | Cloud Chamber at IITM Pune |
| Weather Management Vision | Cloud seeding, fog control, drought mitigation |
| Key Sectors Targeted | Agriculture, Aviation, Defence, Tourism, Healthcare, Disaster Response |
