PARLIAMENT QUESTION: BHARAT FORECAST SYSTEM

1. At a Glance

• BharatFS (Bharat Forecast System) is India's indigenously developed high-resolution Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model, operational at 6 km horizontal resolution — the highest resolution at which any country runs a global weather model in real time [1].
• Developed by IITM Pune under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), it generates forecasts down to the cluster-of-panchayats/village level [1][2].
• Relevant for Prelims (S&T, institutions, numbers) and Mains GS-III (disaster management, science & tech, agriculture-linked early warning).

2. Why in the News

• Answered as a Parliament Question in the Ministry of Earth Sciences on 22 July 2026, reiterating BharatFS's technical specifications (TCo grid, 6 km resolution, Arka/Arunika supercomputers) [1].
• BharatFS was officially unveiled/adopted by IMD on 26–27 May 2025 [2][3].

3. Background & Evolution

• MoES computing capacity upgraded via new High Performance Computing (HPC) systems, dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister on 26 September 2024 [4].
• These HPC systems — Arka (IITM, Pune) and Arunika (NCMRWF, Noida) — raised MoES's total computing power from 6.8 PetaFLOPS to 22 PetaFLOPS (Arka: 11.77 PFLOPS/33 PB storage; Arunika: 8.24 PFLOPS/24 PB storage) [4].
• This computing boost enabled BharatFS's runtime to fall from ~12 hours to 3–6 hours, making real-time operational use feasible [1][4].
• Predecessor model: GFS T1534, resolution ~12 km, versus BharatFS's 6 km and versus other global operational models' typical 9–14 km [1].
• Earlier HPC generation for reference: Pratyush and Mihir systems (pre-Arka/Arunika era) [4].

4. Core Static Facts

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Scientific/Technological

• First-of-its-kind: India becomes the only country running a global weather prediction model at 6 km resolution for real-time operational use [1].
• TCo grid improves orography representation, filtering, and conservation properties over conventional grids [3].

Administrative

• Cross-institute coordination between IITM (Pune) and NCMRWF (Noida) under MoES, backed by dual HPC facilities, reflects federal-level scientific infrastructure planning [4].

Economic

• Higher-resolution, localized forecasts aid agriculture (sowing/harvest decisions) and reduce weather-related crop losses; benefits fisherfolk via localized marine warnings [2][4].

Social

• Panchayat-cluster-level forecasting directly serves rural/village populations, disaster-prone and vulnerable communities, improving last-mile disaster preparedness [1][4].

Environmental

• Enhanced extreme rainfall prediction accuracy (30% improvement) strengthens early warning for floods/cyclones, aiding climate-resilience planning [3].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 26 Sept 2024: PM dedicates Arka and Arunika HPC systems to the nation [4].
• 26–27 May 2025: BharatFS officially unveiled/adopted by IMD/IITM as operational NWP model [2][3].
• 22 July 2026: Parliament Question on BharatFS answered by MoES, reaffirming technical details and India's unique 6 km real-time capability [1].

7. Prelims Hooks

• BharatFS uses the Triangular Cubic Octahedral (TCo) dynamical grid. [1]
• BharatFS resolution: 6 km, versus predecessor GFS T1534's ~12 km. [1]
• India is the only country running a global weather prediction model at 6 km resolution in real time. [1]
• Developed by IITM, Pune; nodal ministry is Ministry of Earth Sciences, not MoEFCC. [1][2]
• BharatFS officially adopted by IMD on 26 May 2025. [3]
• Two new supercomputers: Arka (IITM-Pune) and Arunika (NCMRWF-Noida). [1][4]
• Arka capacity: 11.77 PetaFLOPS, 33 PB storage; Arunika: 8.24 PetaFLOPS, 24 PB storage. [4]
• HPC systems dedicated to nation by PM on 26 September 2024. [4]
• Total MoES computing power rose from 6.8 to 22 PetaFLOPS after Arka/Arunika. [4]
• BharatFS runtime reduced from ~12 hours to 3–6 hours. [1][4]
• BharatFS provides forecasts up to 10 days (rainfall, temperature, low-pressure genesis). [1]
• Forecast granularity: cluster of panchayats/village level. [1]
• Predecessor HPC systems: Pratyush and Mihir. [4]
• 30% improvement in extreme rainfall prediction accuracy since 2022 baseline analysis. [3]
• Public BharatFS outputs available on IMD's nwp.imd.gov.in portal. [2]

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Science & Technology — indigenous technology development; Disaster Management — early warning systems.
• GS-II (peripheral): Governance — delivery of public services (weather info) to last-mile/rural units.
• Possible question stems:
• "Discuss how high-resolution numerical weather prediction models like the Bharat Forecast System can strengthen India's disaster preparedness and agricultural resilience."
• "Examine the role of indigenous supercomputing infrastructure in advancing India's scientific self-reliance, with reference to recent developments in weather forecasting."
• "What are the limitations of localized weather forecasting at the panchayat level, and how can such systems be better integrated with disaster management frameworks?"

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• PARAM Rudra Supercomputers — related indigenous HPC push under National Supercomputing Mission [4].
• National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) — broader institutional framework for HPC in India.
• India Meteorological Department (IMD) — parent operational body for weather services.
• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) — R&D institute behind BharatFS.
• Mausam App / early warning systems — public dissemination layer for such forecasts.
• Cyclone/flood early warning systems — downstream disaster-management application.
• Digital Agriculture Mission — link between hyperlocal weather data and farm advisories.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing nodal ministry: BharatFS falls under Ministry of Earth Sciences, not MoEFCC or MeitY.
• Mixing up supercomputer names/locations: Arka is at IITM Pune, Arunika is at NCMRWF Noida — not interchangeable.
• Confusing BharatFS's TCo grid resolution (6 km) with GFS T1534 (~12 km) — a common numerical trap.
• Assuming BharatFS is an ISRO/DRDO project — it is an MoES/IITM/IMD initiative, unrelated to space or defence agencies.
• Mixing up dates: HPC dedication (Sept 2024) vs BharatFS operational adoption (May 2025) are distinct milestones.