India has launched the Bharat Forecast System, a high-resolution weather prediction model developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, enhancing forecasting precision from 12 kilometers to 6 kilometers. Unveiled at Vigyan Bhawan by Union Earth Sciences Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, the system marks a significant leap in India’s meteorological capabilities, ensuring village-specific forecasts that will reduce economic losses and improve disaster preparedness.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that forecast precision plays a pivotal role in India’s rise as the world’s fourth-largest economy, supporting agriculture, infrastructure, and risk management. He described the innovation as a national milestone under Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, reinforcing India’s self-reliance in cutting-edge scientific solutions.
Notably, the Bharat Forecast System is spearheaded by four women scientists, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Nari Shakti’ in action. Singh remarked that science ministries are no longer empowering women—they are being empowered by them, highlighting the transformative role of female leadership in India’s scientific advancements.
The Bharat Forecast System integrates real-time modeling using the Triangular Cubic Octahedral Grid, improving extreme rainfall predictions by 30 percent and core meteorological zones by 64 percent. Singh hailed the initiative as a testament to national pride, stating that the technology, efforts, and beneficiaries are entirely Indian, while the system will also benefit other tropical regions globally facing complex weather challenges.
Reaffirming India’s leadership in meteorology, Singh recalled the 150th anniversary celebrations of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the launch of Mission Mausam, with a budget allocation of 20 billion rupees to upgrade climate forecasting infrastructure. He lauded the collaborative approach between IITM, IMD, ISRO, and multiple scientific institutions, reinforcing India’s whole-of-government strategy in weather science.
Singh further noted that over 20 ministries rely daily on IMD services, ensuring seamless integration between agriculture, space, transport, and environmental monitoring. The Bharat Forecast System’s ability to deliver last-mile forecasts empowers citizens, farmers, and industry leaders with precise meteorological insights, strengthening India’s economic resilience.
As part of the ceremony, Singh also launched IITM’s Hindi Rajbhasha magazine “Indradhanush”, celebrating linguistic inclusion in science communication and expanding public accessibility to climate research.
The Bharat Forecast System stands as a monumental scientific achievement, ensuring India’s continued leadership in global meteorological advancements while reinforcing its commitment to self-reliance and sustainable development.
