PARLIAMENT QUESTION: MISSION MAUSAM

1. At a Glance

• Mission Mausam is a Central Sector umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) aimed at making India a "Weather-ready and Climate-smart Nation". [1]
• Cabinet-approved with an outlay of ₹2,000 crore for 2024-25 and 2025-26; launched by the PM on 14 January 2025. [1][2]
• Focuses on upgrading observation networks, High-Performance Computing (HPC), AI/ML-based prediction, and last-mile early-warning dissemination. [1][3]
• High-yield UPSC topic since it combines science & tech, disaster management, and governance/federalism dimensions — frequently tested via Parliament Question press releases.

2. Why in the News

• A Parliament Question press release dated 13 August 2026 (PRID 2298819) reiterated Mission Mausam's objectives, budget, and implementation verticals in response to a Parliamentary query, indicating continued Parliamentary scrutiny of the scheme's progress. [1]
• Related recent Parliament Questions on status of implementation and North-East region coverage show ongoing legislative oversight through 2025-26. [4][5]

3. Background & Evolution

• Union Cabinet approved Mission Mausam on 11 September 2024 with outlay of ₹2,000 crore over two years (2024-25, 2025-26). [2]
• Launched by the Prime Minister on 14 January 2025. [1]
• 26 September 2024: HPC systems "ARKA" (11.77 petaflops) and "ARUNIKA" (8.24 petaflops), plus a dedicated 1.9 petaflops AI/ML system, inaugurated by the PM at IITM Pune and NCMRWF Noida, raising MoES total computing capacity to 21.91 petaflops. [3]
• Implementation planned in phases till 2031, with six verticals structured for 2026-31. [1][3]
• Predecessor/related initiative: Project Mausam (Ministry of Culture, launched 2014) — a distinct Indian Ocean cultural/maritime heritage initiative, often confused with Mission Mausam. [6]

4. Core Static Facts

Item	Detail
Implementing Ministry	Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) [1]
Scheme type	Central Sector umbrella scheme [1]
Cabinet approval date	11 September 2024 [2]
Launch date	14 January 2025, by the PM [1]
Budget (2024-25 & 2025-26)	₹2,000 crore [1][2]
Budget (2026-27, budgeted)	₹1,342.29 crore (₹855.29 cr Revenue + ₹487 cr Capital) [1]
Primary implementing institutes	India Meteorological Department (IMD), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) [1][3]
HPC systems	ARKA (11.77 petaflops), ARUNIKA (8.24 petaflops), dedicated AI/ML system (1.9 petaflops); total MoES capacity 21.91 petaflops [3]
Six implementation verticals (2026-31)	OBSERVE_ALL, DEVELOP, Weather_MOD, ATCOMP, FRONTIER, NEAT [1]
Target sectors	Agriculture, fisheries, aviation, disaster management, broader economic resilience [1]

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Scientific / Technological

• Deployment of next-generation Doppler Weather Radars and satellites for higher-resolution atmospheric observation. [1]
• Use of AI/ML and high-resolution Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP)/ensemble prediction systems for improved forecast accuracy and lead time. [1][3]
• Dedicated Weather_MOD vertical for weather modification research and ATCOMP for atmospheric composition monitoring — novel additions beyond conventional forecasting. [1]

Economic

• Better forecasting directly benefits agriculture, fisheries, and aviation sectors, reducing weather-related economic losses. [1]
• ₹2,000 crore two-year outlay reflects a significant Central Sector investment in weather infrastructure. [2]

Environmental

• Strengthens climate resilience and disaster preparedness amid rising frequency of extreme weather events. [1]
• Improves early warning for ocean-related hazards via complex data assimilation from atmospheric, oceanic, satellite sources. [3]

Administrative / Governance

• Implementation split across three specialized MoES institutes (IMD, IITM, NCMRWF), requiring inter-institutional coordination. [3]
• Decision Support Systems designed with "last-mile connectivity" to ensure warnings reach end-users (farmers, fishers, disaster managers). [1]
• North-East region coverage flagged as a distinct Parliamentary concern, indicating regional implementation challenges. [5]

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 26 September 2024: HPC systems ARKA and ARUNIKA inaugurated by PM at IITM Pune and NCMRWF Noida. [3]
• 14 January 2025: Formal launch of Mission Mausam by the PM. [1]
• 2025-26: Multiple Parliament Questions on implementation status and North-East coverage answered in Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha. [4][5]
• 13 August 2026: Latest Parliament Question press release reaffirms objectives, budget breakup (2026-27: ₹1,342.29 crore) and six-vertical structure for 2026-31. [1]

7. Prelims Hooks

• Mission Mausam launched by PM on 14 January 2025. [1]
• Cabinet approved Mission Mausam on 11 September 2024 with ₹2,000 crore outlay for 2024-25 & 2025-26. [2]
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences, NOT Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. [1]
• Tagline: making India a "Weather-ready and Climate-smart Nation". [1]
• HPC system "ARKA" has capacity of 11.77 petaflops; "ARUNIKA" has 8.24 petaflops. [3]
• Total MoES computing capacity after HPC inauguration: 21.91 petaflops. [3]
• Three primary implementing institutes: IMD, IITM, NCMRWF. [1][3]
• Mission Mausam is a Central Sector scheme (not Centrally Sponsored). [1]
• Six implementation verticals for 2026-31: OBSERVE_ALL, DEVELOP, Weather_MOD, ATCOMP, FRONTIER, NEAT. [1]
• 2026-27 budget allocation: ₹1,342.29 crore (₹855.29 cr Revenue, ₹487 cr Capital). [1]
• Mission Mausam should not be confused with Project Mausam (2014, Ministry of Culture, Indian Ocean cultural-maritime initiative). [6]
• HPC systems inaugurated at IITM Pune and NCMRWF Noida on 26 September 2024. [3]

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Science & Technology — developments in space, computers, robotics; Disaster Management.
• GS-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.
• Possible question stems: 1. "Discuss the significance of Mission Mausam in strengthening India's early-warning systems for extreme weather events. What are the key technological pillars of the mission?" (GS-III) 2. "How does Mission Mausam differ from earlier weather forecasting initiatives in India? Examine its potential impact on disaster preparedness." (GS-III) 3. "Weather forecasting has both scientific and administrative dimensions. Critically evaluate India's institutional readiness to implement Mission Mausam by 2031." (GS-II/III)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• India Meteorological Department (IMD) — core implementing agency; understand its mandate and history.
• National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) — key model-development institute under MoES.
• Disaster Management Act, 2005 / NDMA — link forecasting to institutional disaster response.
• PARAM/HPC systems in India — broader context of India's supercomputing capacity (C-DAC).
• Project Mausam (2014) — commonly confused; distinguish ministry and objectives.
• National Monsoon Mission — earlier MoES initiative on monsoon forecasting, precursor context.
• Artificial Intelligence in governance — cross-cutting theme of AI/ML use in public service delivery.
• Climate resilience and adaptation policy in India — broader climate governance framework.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing Mission Mausam (MoES, 2024/2025, weather-forecasting) with Project Mausam (Ministry of Culture, 2014, Indian Ocean maritime-cultural heritage). [6]
• Mixing up Cabinet approval date (11 September 2024) with the launch date (14 January 2025) — these are distinct events.
• Assuming implementing ministry is MoEFCC — it is actually Ministry of Earth Sciences. [1]
• Misremembering the outlay period — ₹2,000 crore is for two years (2024-25 & 2025-26), not annual recurring. [2]
• Confusing HPC system names/capacities — ARKA (11.77 PF) vs ARUNIKA (8.24 PF); total capacity figure (21.91 PF) includes the separate AI/ML system. [3]