Dr. Jitendra Singh Unveils 14 New Earth Science Tools to Boost Climate Resilience

Marking a significant milestone in India’s journey toward climate resilience and scientific empowerment, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today launched a suite of 14 new scientific tools and digital services developed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). The announcement was made during the 19th Foundation Day celebrations of the Ministry, held in the national capital.

The Minister used the occasion to highlight the dramatic transformation of the MoES over the past decade—from a research-centric department to a citizen-service-oriented institution—providing real-time, life-saving data to millions of Indians, from farmers and fishermen to disaster response teams and coastal communities.

Empowering Citizens with Science-Driven Tools

Dr. Singh showcased a wide array of new services aimed at improving weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, marine safety, and ecological monitoring. Among the key initiatives launched were:

• Bharat Forecast System – Extended Range Prediction (BharatFS-ERP)

• Crop-weather calendars and rainfall monitoring systems

• High-resolution rainfall and wave data atlases

• Seismic microzonation maps for four Indian cities

• Updated air quality prediction platforms

• Marine biodiversity mapping reports

• Seabed and wave charts for safer maritime navigation

A documentary film titled Life Saving Impact, produced by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), was also released, illustrating how the Ministry’s tools have saved lives during extreme weather events.

“Science and innovation are not just tools of sustainability—they are levers of economic growth. We’ve moved from elite science to accessible, people-centric tools,” said Dr. Singh.

A Decade of Institutional Transformation

Dr. Jitendra Singh shared that the number of Doppler weather radars in India has risen from 15 in 2014 to 41 in 2025, alongside significant increases in seismic stations, upper-air systems, rain gauges, and lightning detection networks.

Highlighting India’s strides in earthquake response, the Minister noted that alerts are now issued within 2–3 minutes of a seismic event. A recent tremor in Delhi saw such overwhelming public demand that MoES servers briefly crashed due to the surge in users accessing real-time updates.

Similarly, cyclone forecasting has seen a revolution in lead time and accuracy. Recalling the 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone, which claimed over 10,000 lives, Dr. Singh credited IMD’s early warning capabilities for dramatically reducing casualties in recent cyclonic storms.

Supporting Agriculture, Fisheries, and Coastal Resilience

A highlight of the Minister’s address was the Ministry’s growing impact on livelihood sectors such as agriculture and fisheries:

• Over 7 lakh farmers now use the Meghdoot app, which provides district-specific weather forecasts and crop advisories.

• Thousands of fishermen receive daily SMS alerts on potential fishing zones and sea conditions, improving both safety and fuel efficiency.

The Ministry has also rolled out ocean-based sustainability projects, including six Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) desalination plants in the Lakshadweep Islands, supplying 1.5 lakh litres of potable water daily—a historic milestone for islanders who previously had no consistent source of freshwater.

“One Up, One Down”: Space and Deep Ocean Missions

Drawing parallels between India’s space and ocean ambitions, Dr. Singh spotlighted two flagship programmes:

• The Gaganyaan mission, which will send an Indian astronaut into space in 2026.

• The Samudrayaan mission, which will enable manned deep-sea exploration up to 6 km below sea level.

“One up, one down—that’s the vision. India will soon be among a handful of countries with capabilities to explore both the deep seas and outer space,” he said.

The Deep Ocean Mission is positioned as a future engine of growth, with unexplored resources such as rare earth minerals, biodiversity, and clean energy sources beneath the Indian Ocean holding massive economic potential.

Budget Growth and Future Direction

The Minister shared that the MoES budget has nearly tripled, from ₹1,281 crore in 2014 to ₹3,658 crore in 2024. This expansion has allowed India to modernize its research infrastructure and undertake ambitious science-driven projects previously considered beyond reach.

Dr. Singh credited this growth to the visionary support of the current government and urged the scientific community to continue working in mission mode.

“Many people still don’t know about the powerful tools we’ve built. We must do more to reach the grassroots—use every communication channel, every ministry, every village to make science felt in daily life,” he urged.

Key Attendees and Visionary Support

The event was attended by a host of distinguished scientific leaders and experts:

• Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences

• Shri D. Senthil Pandiyan, Joint Secretary, MoES

• Dr. Mrutyunjay Mahapatra, Director General, IMD

• Dr. Vijay Kumar, Programme Head

• Prof. Dev Niyogi, UNESCO Chair at the University of Texas (joined virtually)

Their participation underscored the Ministry’s collaborative approach and global orientation, blending local action with international best practices.

From Research to Real-Time Relief

As the Ministry of Earth Sciences marks its 19th year, it does so as an agency deeply embedded in people’s lives. From cyclone alerts to drinking water in remote islands, and from weather forecasts to future deep-sea missions, the MoES is charting a path where science meets service.

The Foundation Day celebrations stood not just as a ceremonial marker but as a launchpad for India’s next leap in earth system science, climate preparedness, and technological self-reliance.