Introduction
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is a Government of India ministry responsible for advancing Earth system science and delivering essential services related to weather, climate, oceans, coasts, hydrology, earthquakes and natural hazards. It also supports the sustainable exploration of marine resources and scientific research across the Arctic, Antarctic and Himalayan regions.
History and Background
The Ministry of Earth Sciences traces its institutional development to the Department of Ocean Development, which was established to coordinate India’s ocean-related research and development activities.
The Government of India designated the department as the Ministry of Ocean Development in February 2006. In July 2006, it was reorganized as the Ministry of Earth Sciences, bringing the India Meteorological Department, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting under a unified administrative framework.
This restructuring enabled India to adopt an integrated Earth system approach connecting atmospheric science, ocean science, climate research, polar studies, seismology and geoscience.
Mission and Purpose
The Ministry of Earth Sciences works to provide reliable scientific information and operational services that support public safety, environmental sustainability, economic activity and national development.
Its principal responsibilities include:
- Providing weather, climate, ocean, coastal, hydrological and earthquake-related services.
- Monitoring natural hazards and issuing forecasts, warnings and advisories.
- Conducting atmospheric, oceanographic, polar, coastal and geoscientific research.
- Exploring marine living and non-living resources sustainably.
- Developing ocean technologies and Earth observation capabilities.
- Advancing scientific understanding of the Arctic, Antarctic and Himalayan regions.
- Strengthening research, education, professional training and public awareness in Earth system sciences.
Through these responsibilities, MoES supports agriculture, fisheries, disaster management, transportation, water-resource planning, coastal communities and other climate-sensitive sectors.
Governance and Structure
The Ministry of Earth Sciences operates under the Government of India and is led politically by the minister responsible for the portfolio. The Secretary of Earth Sciences manages the Ministry’s administration, scientific coordination and implementation of national programmes.
MoES carries out its scientific and operational mandate through specialized institutions and centres, including:
- India Meteorological Department.
- Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.
- National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting.
- Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services.
- National Institute of Ocean Technology.
- National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research.
- National Centre for Earth Science Studies.
- National Centre for Coastal Research.
- National Centre for Seismology.
- Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology.
- Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory.
These institutions cover weather forecasting, climate modelling, ocean information, marine technology, earthquake monitoring, coastal research, polar exploration and Earth science research.
Funding and Grants
As a central government ministry, MoES receives funding through India’s public budgeting and parliamentary appropriation processes. These resources finance national missions, research institutions, observation networks, scientific infrastructure, technology development and public services.
The Ministry also provides extramural research funding to universities, research institutions and other eligible organizations working in priority areas of Earth system science. Proposals may support scientific research, technology development, professional training, outreach programmes, seminars, workshops, conferences and exhibitions.
The Research, Education, Training and Outreach component supports theme-based research and development, international scientific collaboration, skilled workforce development and public awareness. MoES manages relevant proposals through its online Project Management System.
Funding availability, eligibility requirements, deadlines and application procedures vary according to the scheme or call for proposals. Applicants should review the latest official guidelines before submitting a project.
Major Programs and Initiatives
PRITHVI Scheme
Prithvi Vigyan, commonly known as PRITHVI, is the Ministry’s central umbrella scheme for Earth system science. The Government of India approved an expenditure of ₹4,797 crore for its implementation from 2021 to 2026.
PRITHVI integrates five major components:
- Atmosphere and Climate Research—Modelling, Observing Systems and Services.
- Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology.
- Polar Science and Cryosphere Research.
- Seismology and Geosciences.
- Research, Education, Training and Outreach.
The scheme promotes integrated research spanning the atmosphere, oceans, geosphere, cryosphere and solid Earth.
Deep Ocean Mission
The Deep Ocean Mission supports India’s scientific and technological capacity to explore deep-sea environments and resources. It has an approved cost of ₹4,077 crore for implementation over five years from 2021 to 2026.
Its major areas of work include:
- Technologies for deep-sea mining and human-occupied submersibles.
- Underwater vehicles and robotic systems.
- Ocean climate-change advisory services.
- Deep-sea biodiversity exploration and conservation.
- Deep-ocean surveys and mineral-resource exploration.
- Technologies for generating energy and freshwater from the ocean.
- Development of an advanced marine station for ocean biology.
A major project under the mission is Matsya 6000, a human-occupied scientific submersible being developed to carry three people to a depth of 6,000 metres.
Mission Mausam
Mission Mausam is designed to make India more weather-ready and climate-smart by improving atmospheric observations, forecasting technologies and climate services.
Approved in September 2024 with an outlay of ₹2,000 crore over two years, the mission is implemented primarily by the India Meteorological Department, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.
Its activities include next-generation radars, advanced satellite instruments, high-performance computing, improved Earth system models, artificial intelligence and machine learning, weather-management research and stronger last-mile dissemination systems.
Weather and Climate Services
The India Meteorological Department provides forecasts, warnings and climate information for the public, government agencies and climate-sensitive sectors.
MoES institutions also undertake monsoon research, numerical weather prediction, climate modelling and studies of extreme weather events. These activities strengthen preparedness for cyclones, heavy rainfall, heatwaves and other weather-related risks.
Ocean Information and Coastal Services
Through the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services and associated institutions, MoES provides ocean-state forecasts, tsunami warnings and advisories for coastal communities and marine users.
Its ocean programmes maintain observation systems, generate user-focused data products and conduct research on marine ecosystems, coastal processes and ocean resources.
Polar and Cryosphere Research
The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research coordinates India’s scientific expeditions in Antarctica, the Arctic, the Himalayas and the Southern Ocean.
This work supports long-term studies of climate, glaciers, oceans, ecosystems and the cryosphere. It also maintains research facilities that enable Indian scientists to undertake investigations in remote polar environments.
Seismology and Geoscience
The National Centre for Seismology monitors earthquake activity in and around India continuously. MoES also supports earthquake-hazard research, geophysical observations, deep borehole investigations and studies of India’s lithosphere and coastal geology.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
The Ministry of Earth Sciences has developed an integrated network of scientific institutions that transforms Earth observation and research into practical public services.
Its weather forecasting and early-warning systems help government authorities, disaster-management agencies and communities prepare for extreme weather and natural hazards.
Ocean information services provide forecasts and advisories that support fishers, coastal communities, ports, shipping operators and emergency authorities. Tsunami monitoring and warning capabilities strengthen preparedness across the Indian Ocean region.
Research funded through MoES has involved universities and scientific institutions working on climate variability, marine ecosystems, coastal processes, earthquakes, geophysical systems and Earth surface processes. The Ministry maintains a public database of supported research projects, including information about participating institutions, project duration, sanctioned funding and research themes.
Its polar expeditions, ocean-observation programmes, climate models, deep-sea technology development and earthquake-monitoring systems have strengthened India’s scientific infrastructure and research capacity.
MoES also contributes to education and workforce development by supporting academic partnerships, research training, international collaboration and outreach activities in Earth sciences.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Earth Sciences plays a central role in India’s weather forecasting, climate research, ocean science, polar exploration, seismology and natural-hazard preparedness. Through institutions such as IMD, INCOIS, IITM, NIOT and NCPOR, the Ministry combines scientific research with operational services that benefit communities, government agencies and economic sectors.
Major initiatives such as PRITHVI, the Deep Ocean Mission and Mission Mausam demonstrate India’s growing investment in Earth observation, climate resilience, ocean technology and advanced forecasting. By supporting research institutions, universities, scientists and technology development, MoES continues to strengthen India’s capacity to understand and respond to changes across the Earth system.
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