Research And Development In Earth System Sciences

Policy Update
Prashail Tripathi

Background

The MoES runs the Research and Development in Earth System Sciences (RDESS) programme, an extramural research and development funding strategy. Its primary goal is to improve understanding of the Earth system, comprising the atmosphere, the ocean, solid Earth; and in turn, each other’s dependence in the biosphere, with collaboration encouraged among various institutions and disciplines. RDESS projects are strictly need-based and time-bound, with the goal of developing or improving national Earth system services such as weather prediction, climate observing, and maritime services.

MoES, which was formed in 2006 through the reorganisation of the Department of Ocean Development, brings together key institutions such as the India Meteorological Department (IMD), IITM, NCMRWF, NCESS, NIOT, NCAOR, INCOIS, CMLRE, and ICMAM-PD under the ESSO framework. This institutional network promotes RDESS through collaboration, data sharing, and capacity building.

Programme structure

The RDESS works in the following manner :

1. RDESS welcomes recommendations from research and academic organisations and universities, in an array of Earth System Science disciplines, welcomed by its Project Appraisal and Monitoring Committee (PAMCs)

2. Multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, need-based, time-bound projects with tangible outcomes for India’s earth system services are preferred.

3. The Technical Research Board (TRB) is established to promote traditional technology development in the field.

4. The Earth Science & Technology Cell (ESTC) promotes theme-based, concentrated network research and development endeavours involving various organisations that are centred on operational use and capacity building.

The RDESS initiative is consistent with MoES’s broader mandate of studying and managing Earth system sciences and services.

Functioning

Since the RDESS programme is an outsourcing programme, its functioning is spread in the following seven (7) points, hierarchically listed.

1. Purpose driven Funding – RDESS funds extramural research initiatives, which are conducted by educational institutions, research and development labs, and academic institutes outside of the centre MoES organisations. The scheme is need-based and time-bound, with the goal of bridging knowledge gaps in Earth system science and improving operational services such as weather prediction, ocean warnings, climate inspections, and hazard alerts.

2. Proposal submission– The RDESS invites the researchers to make proposals in specific thematic areas:

a. Atmospheric Sciences and Climate

b. Oceanography and Marine Resources.

c. Geoscience and Seismology

d. Hydrology and Cryosphere.

e. Multi-disciplinary topics include paleoclimate, sea-level change, and acidification of the oceans.

3. Appraisal and approval -The Project Appraisal and Monitoring Committees (PAMCs) evaluate the proposals received based on some points, like

a. Scientific merit.

b. Practicality and methodology.

c. Pertinence to MoES goals.

d. Institutional magnitude of the proposing team.

4. Funding and implementation– Once the project is approved, the MoES discharges resources to the recipient institution in installments based on project milestones. Funding covers salaries for project staff, as well as equipment and consumables, Travel and fieldwork, Data Acquisition – Projects typically last 1-3 years, but more extensive collaborative ones can take longer.

5. Monitoring and review– progress is monitored through:

a. Annual progress reports

b. Mid-term reviews and field visits by PAMCs

c. Final technical and financial reports at the project completion

6. Outputs and deliverables– Expected outcomes involve fresh databases, designs, and tools for forecasting, research papers, operationalisable technologies or services, along with capacity building (training young scientists, bolstering institutional infrastructure).

7. Integration within the MoES services– Findings are integrated into already functioning systems (e.g., IMD forecasts, INCOIS ocean services, NCESS geoscience databases).
Where applicable, outputs even contribute to international collaborations (e.g., monsoon studies, ocean observation networks).

8. It also runs training programs (like DESK – Developing Skilled Manpower in Earth System Sciences, and CAT-ESSC – Centre for Advanced Training in Earth System Science and Climate) in partnership with academic institutions.
The extramural approach taken by the RDESS programme helps in decentralizing the research into capable hands and empower universities and other participating educational institutions.

Performance

The Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the MoES-ESSDP (Earth System Science Data Portal), an integrated digital web portal of MoES institutes, which makes available data on various themes of earth system science for public use. The performance of the RDESS is reflected through some key outcomes and indicators

A study commissioned by MoES and carried out by Clarivate, reveals significant growth in the following outcomes from 1995-2005 to 2006-2015:

(I) Research Output and Global Standing

1. Earth System Science publications in India increased from 8,753 to 19,938.

2. India’s global share grew from 2.6% to 3.5%, with citation impact increasing from 0.62 to 0.72.

3. International collaboration also increased, from 22.6% to 29.9%.

4. Notably, India ranked first in Himalayan research, but India still lags in achieving forefront on the global podium, in ocean and atmospheric domains.

5. MoES institutions such as Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), and the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCAOR) emerged as top contributors.

(II) Link to Operational Capabilities and Services

1. Significant gains (20-40%) to forecast storms, intense precipitation, mist, heat waves and thunderstorms are linked to improved modelling and assimilation systems.

2. Air Quality Early Warning Systems (AQEWS) installed at 400 m resolution with 88% precision in predicting extreme air pollution events—an exceptionally high standard globally.

3. Doppler Weather Radars, Coastal Observatories, an Atmospheric Research Testbed, and a geochronology facility have all been added, expanding the scope of research and services.

4. ITCOocean’s programs trained over 500 individuals, while the DESK initiative trained approximately 200 scientists.

(III) Advancements in Data, Infrastructure & Outreach

1. Earth System Science Data Portal (ESSDP): Catalogues over a thousand datasets from diverse MoES programmes.

2. MoES now uses petaflop-scale computing, advanced models, AI/ML integration, and hybrid forecasting systems.

Broad Assessment

While no specific RDESS performance audit has been publicly released, available evidence indicates that:

1. RDESS has made a significant contribution to increased Earth system science publications, research quality, and collaboration.

2. It has resulted in real-world outcomes such as enhanced forecasting networks, air quality notifications, growth in infrastructure and data platforms, and workforce development.

3. The impact of RDESS extends across educational and functional fields, raising India’s national and international profile in Earth system science.

Impact

Since its formulation, the Research and Development in Earth System Science (RDESS) programme has impacted India’s capabilities in earth system sciences crucially. The program has improved the country’s research and operational capabilities in climate, ocean, and other forms of geosciences. Notably, the standard of forecasting services has improved significantly, including improved forecasting abilities for rainfall and tropical cyclones, which helped millions of farmers save their crops and saved lives during such severe weather conditions.

The usage of cutting-edge observational systems and simulation structures have allowed for reliable and on time weather and ocean state forecasts, thus adding to economic advancement, such as assisting over 300,000 fishermen who have reaped significant economic benefits.

The MoES additionally assisted in creation of revolutionary equipment for deep ocean exploration, such as manganese nodule mining, in order to produce high-impact research results and develop manpower. IMD reports ~40–50% improvement in short- to medium-range (up to 5-day) severe-weather forecast accuracy in recent years—supported by RDESS modelling, data assimilation and HPC upgrades—translating into better preparedness for cyclones, heavy rain and heat. With upgraded models and impact-based warnings, India’s cyclone tracking and lead times have markedly improved (e.g., monitoring started ~9 days ahead for Cyclone Yaas in 2021)

Furthermore, the Ministry’s polar and seismic research initiatives have allowed for ground-breaking research on the impact of climate change. The RDESS programme has improved India’s scientific know-how in earth system sciences by providing specialised training mechanisms, scholarships, and collaborative studies that are bridging the gap between academia and practical service.

Overall, RDESS has played an important role in elevating India’s Earth System Science research, technological innovation, and societal applications, establishing the country as a rising leader in the field.

Emerging Challenges

The implementation of the RDESS program faces multiple interconnected challenges that limit its overall efficacy. At first, gaps remain in technological progress and in its translation into accessible, policy-relevant tools, hindering the transition of research outcomes into practical decisions. Many datasets and models created by RDESS require specialized understanding for interpretation, making them complicated for those without technical skills, like disaster management officials or local administrators. Additionally, a deficiency in cooperation exists among the stakeholder agencies, resulting in redundancy in efforts and challenges in implementing research-based solutions. Infrastructural constraints, such as insufficient monitoring systems in isolated or environmentally sensitive areas, low budget allocations, etc. limit the program’s reach and precision.’

These challenges prove to be a substantial impediment in India’s preparedness for potential disasters as not integrating the latest technology into practice hinders the capability of realising the disaster preparedness and climate change policies.

Way Forward

A comprehensive method is required, to enhance the accuracy and significance of RDESS outcomes. A stronger focus is needed on closing the research-application gap through the creation of accessible decision-support tools for legislators, field organizations, and other stakeholders. Enhancing capacity-building efforts at both national and local levels will guarantee that scientific discoveries are comprehended and utilized in practical operational applications. Establishing adhesive data-sharing systems can enhance cooperation between various agencies, minimize duplication, and facilitate collaboration at the national, state, and local levels. Moreover, allocating resources to high-resolution (HR) observation systems, especially in climate-vulnerable and remote regions, will enhance forecast precision and reliability.

References

1. Business Wire India. (2018, February 13). Clarivate’s bibliometric analysis of Earth system science research in India shows significant increase in research output. Business Wire India. https://www.businesswireindia.com/clarivates-bibliometric-analysis-of-earth-system-science-research-in-india-shows-significant-increase-in-research-output-56983.html

2. Ministry of Earth Sciences – Wikipedia. (n.d.). Ministry of Earth Sciences. In Wikipedia. Retrieved August 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Earth_Sciences

3. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). (n.d.). About the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Government of India. Retrieved August 2025, from https://www.moes.gov.in/

4. National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS). (2025). National Centre for Earth Science Studies—Research profile and institutional mandate. In Demands for Grants 2025–2026, Ministry of Earth Sciences. Government of India.

5. National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS). (n.d.). About NCESS and its key research themes in Earth system sciences. Retrieved August 2025, from https://www.ncess.gov.in/ministry-of-earth-sciences-moes.php

6. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). (2023, March). Statement in the Lok Sabha – R&D in Earth System Science (RDESS), International Training Centre for Operational Oceanography (ITCOocean), Development of Skilled Manpower in Earth System Sciences (DESK) [PDF]. House of the People (India).

7. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). (n.d.-a). Research, education, training & outreach (REACHOUT). Government of India. Retrieved August 2025, from https://moes.gov.in/schemes/research-education-training-outreach?language_content_entity=en

8. Ministry of Earth Sciences. (2023, March 15). Lok Sabha unstarred question no. 2458. https://moes.gov.in/sites/default/files/LS-in-English-2458-15-03-2023.pdf

About the Contributor

Prashail Tripathi has completed his post graduation (M.A) in National Security Studies from the Central University of Jammu. He has been affiliated with IMPRI as a Policy Research Intern since June 2025. His core interests include understanding current geopolitical scenarios, civil-military relations of India’s neighbouring countries, energy security and International Relations.

Acknowledgment: The author sincerely thanks the IMPRI team for their valuable support.

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organization.