PARLIAMENT QUESTION: PRITHVI SCHEME

1. At a Glance

• PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI) is an overarching umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) that consolidates five legacy sub-schemes into a single Earth-system science programme covering atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere and biosphere [1][2].
• Relevant for UPSC because it is a recurring GS-III S&T / Environment scheme, the principal vehicle for India's weather, climate, polar and seismology R&D, and was a Parliament Question (Feb 2026) in the Lok Sabha [1].

2. Why in the News

• 5 February 2026: MoES placed the objectives and progress of PRITHVI before Parliament via a written reply, restating the scheme's mandate on Earth-system observations, climate prediction, seismic monitoring and polar/deep-sea exploration [1].

3. Background & Evolution

• 5 January 2024: Union Cabinet, chaired by PM, approved the PRITHVI scheme for the period 2021–26 at a total outlay of ₹4,797 crore [2].
• It subsumes five pre-existing MoES sub-schemes rather than launching fresh verticals, marking a shift to an integrated Earth-system science approach [2].
• Builds on India's institutional ecosystem under MoES (IMD, NCMRWF, INCOIS, NCPOR, NIOT, IITM etc.), although PIB release of Feb 2026 reiterates these objectives [1].

4. Core Static Facts

Sub-scheme expansions [2]:

• ACROSS — Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services
• O-SMART — Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology
• PACER — Polar Science and Cryosphere Research
• SAGE — Seismology and Geosciences
• REACHOUT — Research, Education, Training and Outreach

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

• Scientific / Technological
• Mandates long-term observation of atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere and solid earth to capture vital signs of Earth-system change [1].
• Develops modelling systems for weather, ocean and climate hazard prediction and for understanding climate change science [1].

• Funds seismic hazard assessment and earthquake monitoring under SAGE [1][2].

• Environmental

• Strengthens India's climate change observation backbone, feeding into UNFCCC/IPCC reporting via improved Earth-system data [1].

• PACER sub-scheme drives polar and high-seas exploration, including Arctic/Antarctic stations and deep-sea biota studies [1][2].

• Economic / Strategic

• Targets technology for sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources — links to Deep Ocean Mission and Blue Economy [1].

• Cyclone, monsoon, tsunami and storm-surge advisories generated under ACROSS/O-SMART have direct fiscal value (disaster avoidance) [1].

• Governance / Administrative

• Integration of five vertical schemes under one umbrella aims to reduce duplication and enable cross-component Earth-system modelling [2].
• Centrally implemented via MoES institutes; no state-share component (central sector scheme) [2].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 5 Feb 2026 — Lok Sabha written reply (PIB) reiterated PRITHVI objectives and ongoing implementation [1].
• Jan 2024 — Cabinet approval and rollout of the integrated umbrella structure [2].

7. Prelims Hooks

• PRITHVI stands for PRITHvi VIgyan [1].
• Implementing ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences [1].
• Cabinet approval date: 5 January 2024 [2].
• Total outlay: ₹4,797 crore [2].
• Implementation period: 2021–26 [2].
• Number of sub-schemes integrated: Five [2].
• Sub-schemes: ACROSS, O-SMART, PACER, SAGE, REACHOUT [2].
• Five Earth-system components addressed: atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, biosphere [2].
• PACER covers Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (not seismology) [2].
• SAGE covers Seismology and Geosciences — seismic hazard assessment [1][2].
• O-SMART = Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology [2].
• It is a central sector umbrella scheme (not centrally sponsored) [2].
• Scheme objective explicitly includes exploration of polar and high-seas regions [1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III — Science & Technology (indigenous tech, R&D); Environment (climate change); Disaster Management (cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis).
• GS-I — Geography (oceanography, cryosphere, monsoons) — peripheral.
• Sample stems:
• "Discuss how the PRITHVI scheme integrates India's Earth-system observation capabilities and its implications for climate resilience." (GS-III)
• "Examine the role of Ministry of Earth Sciences' umbrella schemes in disaster risk reduction in India." (GS-III)
• "PRITHVI scheme is more than a research programme — it is a strategic instrument for Blue Economy and polar diplomacy. Discuss." (GS-III)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Deep Ocean Mission — parallel MoES flagship; ocean resource exploration.
• Mission Mausam (2024) — weather forecasting upgrade under MoES, complements ACROSS.
• National Monsoon Mission — predecessor in modelling, now within ACROSS.
• Indian Antarctic Act, 2022 — legal basis for polar work under PACER.
• National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) — implementing arm for PACER.
• INCOIS / IMD / NCMRWF / IITM / NIOT — MoES institutes executing sub-schemes.
• IPCC AR6 & UNFCCC COPs — climate science feeders.
• Blue Economy Policy Framework — links to O-SMART.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing PRITHVI (MoES Earth science umbrella) with Prithvi missile (DRDO/strategic forces) or PRITHVI portal of MoP&NG — different ministries.
• Wrong ministry: it is MoES, not MoEFCC or DST.
• Wrong number of sub-schemes: it is five, not four or six.
• Mixing up sub-scheme mandates — e.g., SAGE = seismology, PACER = polar/cryosphere (not vice versa).
• Treating it as a new scheme launched in 2024 — it is an umbrella consolidating ongoing schemes for 2021–26.
• Calling it a "centrally sponsored scheme" — it is central sector (100% Union funded).