India has officially launched one of the world’s first indigenously developed high-resolution weather forecast systems—the Bharat Forecast System. Developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, this groundbreaking technology improves India’s forecasting resolution from 12 km to 6 km, enabling village-specific predictions.
The unveiling ceremony, held at Vigyan Bhawan, was led by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Earth Sciences. Emphasising the transformative nature of this innovation, Dr. Singh stated, “As India climbs the economic ranks, precise weather forecasting will play a crucial role in reducing losses and boosting growth.”
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Bharat Forecast System is its women-led development team. Spearheaded by four distinguished women scientists, the initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Nari Shakti’—empowering women in science and technology.
This system strengthens India’s status as a global weather leader and contributes to the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. Beyond national benefits, it provides cutting-edge forecasting solutions for other tropical regions, which face significant climate variability.
Among its many advantages, the Bharat Forecast System is expected to boost agricultural resilience, reducing crop loss risks and improving extreme weather predictions by 30%. With ₹2000 crore allocated under Mission Mausam, the government is focused on upgrading India’s meteorological infrastructure to serve farmers and industries better.
The Bharat Forecast System marks a giant leap forward in India’s meteorological capabilities, ensuring accurate forecasts, enhanced disaster preparedness, and strengthened agricultural sustainability.
