PARLIAMENT QUESTION: PRITHVI VIGYAN SCHEME

1. At a Glance

• PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI) is an overarching umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) merging five legacy sub-schemes to holistically address all five components of the Earth system — atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, biosphere [S2][S3].
• Approved by Union Cabinet on 5 January 2024 for the period 2021–26 at an outlay of ₹4,797 crore [S2][S3].
• Relevant for UPSC under GS-III (S&T, Disaster Management) — covers weather forecasting, climate services, polar/ocean research, seismology and tsunami early warning.

2. Why in the News

• Lok Sabha reply dated 11 February 2026 by MoS (IC) Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh detailed mid-term implementation gains under PRITHVI: expanded DWR network, improved forecast skill scores, deployment of new observational assets [S1][S4].

3. Background & Evolution

• MoES historically ran five vertical sub-schemes; PRITHVI was conceived to integrate them under one financial and administrative umbrella [S2].
• 5 Jan 2024: Cabinet approval of PRITHVI for FY 2021–22 to 2025–26 [S2].
• Builds on legacy infrastructure of IMD, INCOIS, IITM, NCMRWF, NCPOR, NCESS, ICG etc. [S2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (not MoEFCC, not DST) [S1][S2].
• Outlay: ₹4,797 crore (2021–26) [S2].
• Five sub-schemes [S2]:
• ACROSS — Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services.
• O-SMART — Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources & Technology.
• PACER — Polar Science and Cryosphere Research.
• SAGE — Seismology and Geosciences.
• REACHOUT — Research, Education, Training and Outreach.
• Earth system domains covered: atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, biosphere [S2].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

• Scientific/Technological
• Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) network expanded to 48 with 10 X-Band + 2 C-Band new DWRs commissioned [S1][S4].
• GCOS Upper Air Network (GUAN) RS/RW stations raised from 6 → 12; 25 of 62 Pilot Balloon stations upgraded to GPS-based PB [S1][S4].
• 400 AWS added; 200 Agro-AWS commissioned; High Wind Speed Recorder network on East/West coasts at 37 stations [S4].
• Administrative
• Single-window funding for hitherto siloed sub-schemes; better fund flexibility across atmospheric, oceanic, polar, seismic verticals [S2].
• Environmental / Disaster Management
• Forecast accuracy for severe weather up 40% in recent decades; 2025 monsoon one-day heavy rainfall warning skill 85% (vs 77% in 2020); cold wave forecasts up to 65% gain; thunderstorm/lightning forecasts up 53% [S4].
• Strategic — PACER component underpins India's Antarctic/Arctic/Himalayan cryosphere research; O-SMART supports Indian Ocean situational awareness and Blue Economy.

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

• 11 Feb 2026 — Parliament reply quantifying observational network expansion and forecast skill gains under PRITHVI [S1][S4].
• 2025 monsoon season — heavy-rainfall 1-day forecast skill reached 85% [S4].
• Complementary Mission Mausam (approved Sept 2024) augments PRITHVI's radar/observation backbone [S4].

7. Prelims Hooks

• PRITHVI approved by Union Cabinet on 5 January 2024 [S2].
• Implementation window: 2021–26; outlay ₹4,797 crore [S2].
• Implementing ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences [S2].
• Number of sub-schemes merged: Five — ACROSS, O-SMART, PACER, SAGE, REACHOUT [S2].
• Earth-system components addressed: Five — atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, biosphere [S2].
• DWR network strength under PRITHVI: 48 radars [S1][S4].
• New DWRs commissioned: 10 X-Band + 2 C-Band [S1][S4].
• GUAN RS/RW stations: increased 6 → 12 [S1].
• 400 AWS + 200 Agro-AWS added; 37 High Wind Speed Recorders on coasts [S4].
• One-day heavy rainfall forecast skill in 2025 monsoon: 85% (up from 77% in 2020) [S4].
• PACER ≠ polar industrial mission; it stands for Polar Science and Cryosphere Research [S2].
• SAGE = Seismology and Geosciences (not an energy scheme) [S2].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III — Science & Technology (indigenous developments); Disaster Management (cyclones, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis); Environment (climate observation).
• Possible stems:
• "Discuss how the PRITHVI Vigyan scheme integrates India's earth-system science capabilities to enhance disaster preparedness." (GS-III)
• "Examine the role of improved observational networks under PRITHVI in strengthening monsoon and severe-weather forecasting." (GS-III)
• "Polar and cryospheric research is increasingly strategic. Analyse in the context of PACER sub-scheme of PRITHVI." (GS-III)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Mission Mausam (2024) — radar/AI augmentation, complements PRITHVI.
• INCOIS & Tsunami Early Warning System — operational arm of O-SMART.
• Indian Antarctic Act, 2022 — legal frame for PACER fieldwork.
• National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa — executes PACER.
• IMD modernisation — DWR/AWS backbone.
• Deep Ocean Mission — sister MoES mission (separate from PRITHVI).
• National Monsoon Mission / Bhoomi HPC — modelling backbone feeding PRITHVI.
• Vigyan Dhara (DST) — analogous umbrella scheme under DST (do not confuse).

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• PRITHVI ≠ Deep Ocean Mission; both are under MoES but funded separately.
• PRITHVI ≠ Vigyan Dhara; Vigyan Dhara is the DST umbrella scheme — different ministry.
• Wrong year trap: Cabinet approval was Jan 2024, but the scheme period is 2021–26 (retroactive coverage).
• PACER is polar + cryosphere, not the same as ISRO's polar satellite programme.
• Implementing ministry is MoES, not MoEFCC or MoST.
• The scheme has 5 sub-schemes, not 4 or 6.

11. Sources

• [S1] PARLIAMENT QUESTION: PRITHVI VIGYAN SCHEME (11 Feb 2026) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2226188 — (tier 1)
• [S2] PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI) Scheme — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2003592 — (tier 1)
• [S3] Cabinet approves overarching scheme "PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)" — https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1993361 — (tier 1)
• [S4] PARLIAMENT QUESTION: PRITHVI SCHEME — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2223585 — (tier 1)