PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI) (PRITHVI)

Overview

PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI) is an overarching umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), approved by the Union Cabinet on January 5, 2024, at a total cost of ₹4,797 crore for the period 2021-26. The scheme consolidates five previously independent sub-schemes into a single integrated framework, enabling holistic earth system science research covering the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere.

PRITHVI is a Central Sector Scheme that aims to enhance India’s understanding of the Earth’s vital signs, improve prediction of weather and climate hazards, explore polar and deep-sea regions, and translate earth science knowledge into societal services. It is implemented through the various autonomous institutes under MoES, including IMD, INCOIS, NIOT, NCPOR, and IITM.

Five Sub-Schemes Under PRITHVI

1. ACROSS — Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services

• Addresses atmospheric science research and weather/climate services
• Provides forecasting and warnings for cyclones, storm surges, heat waves, thunderstorms, lightning, and fog
• Operates through the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)

2. O-SMART — Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology

• Promotes ocean research, early warning weather systems, and marine resource exploration
• Covers tsunami warning, ocean state forecasting, and deep-sea mineral exploration
• Operates through INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services) and NIOT (National Institute of Ocean Technology)

3. PACER — Polar Science and Cryosphere Research

• Understanding of polar science (Arctic and Antarctic) and cryosphere systems (glaciers, ice sheets)
• Maintains India’s research stations — Maitri and Bharati in Antarctica, and Himadri in the Arctic (Svalbard, Norway)
• Operates through NCPOR (National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research), Goa

4. SAGE — Seismology and Geosciences

• Earthquake monitoring, microzonation, and research on Earth’s solid components
• Seismic hazard assessment for India’s seismically active zones
• Operates through National Centre for Seismology (NCS)

5. REACHOUT — Research, Education, Training and Outreach

• Talent development in earth sciences
• Translation of research outputs into societal services
• Capacity building and outreach programmes

Objectives

• Augmentation and sustenance of long-term observations of atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere, and solid earth
• Development of modelling systems for weather, ocean, and climate hazard prediction
• Understanding the science of climate change and its impacts
• Exploration of polar and high seas regions towards discovery of new phenomena and resources
• Technology development for sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources
• Translation of earth systems science knowledge into services for societal, environmental, and economic benefit

Why an Umbrella Scheme?

The five sub-schemes are inherently inter-dependent — atmospheric research requires ocean data, climate models need cryosphere inputs, and earthquake preparedness benefits from ocean-floor monitoring. The umbrella approach enables:

• Integrated multi-disciplinary research across MoES institutes
• Efficient resource sharing and avoiding duplication
• Unified data management and modelling frameworks
• Holistic understanding of Earth as a single interconnected system

Latest Developments

• FY 2024-25 Expenditure: Against an allocation of Rs 685 crore for FY 2024-25, Rs 567.33 crore was spent as of February 2025, indicating strong utilisation of funds across the five sub-schemes.
• Scheme Terminal Year (2025-26): The current PRITHVI scheme is approved for the period 2021-26, making 2025-26 the final year. A decision on continuation or restructuring under a new framework is expected.
• IMD Cyclone Forecasting Upgrades: Under ACROSS, IMD has continued to enhance its cyclone early warning system, contributing to reduced cyclone-related mortality through more accurate 5-day track and intensity forecasts.
• Deep Ocean Mission Progress: India’s Deep Ocean Mission (launched September 2021, Rs 4,077 crore over 5 years) complements PRITHVI’s O-SMART component — the indigenous deep-sea submersible Matsya6000 is under development for 6,000-metre depth exploration.
• Polar Research Continuity: Under PACER, India continues to maintain three active polar research stations — Maitri and Bharati (Antarctica) and Himadri (Arctic, Svalbard) — with ongoing cryosphere and climate change research conducted by NCPOR, Goa.
• Seismic Monitoring Expansion: Under SAGE, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) has expanded earthquake monitoring coverage, with enhanced microzonation mapping for seismically active zones across India.
• Integrated Earth Observation Benefits: The umbrella approach has enabled integrated multi-disciplinary research across MoES institutes (IMD, INCOIS, NIOT, NCPOR, IITM, NCS), improving data sharing and modelling capabilities for weather, ocean, and climate hazard prediction.

Prelims Importance

• PRITHVI approved by Union Cabinet on January 5, 2024
• Total budget: ₹4,797 crore for the period 2021-26
• Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
• Five sub-schemes: ACROSS, O-SMART, PACER, SAGE, REACHOUT (remember as “AOPSR”)
• Central Sector Scheme (100% Central funding)
• India’s Antarctic research stations: Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012)
• India’s Arctic research station: Himadri (Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norway, 2008)
• NCPOR (Goa) handles polar research under PACER
• INCOIS (Hyderabad) handles ocean services under O-SMART
• IMD handles weather services under ACROSS
• NCS handles earthquake monitoring under SAGE
• IITM (Pune) handles climate research under ACROSS
• NIOT (Chennai) handles ocean technology under O-SMART
• FY 2024-25 allocation: ₹685 crore

Mains & Interview Importance

GS3 — Science & Technology, Environment:

• Discuss PRITHVI as a model of integrated science governance — consolidating fragmented schemes into a holistic framework.
• Analyse India’s earth observation capabilities and their role in disaster risk reduction (cyclone early warnings, tsunami alerts, earthquake monitoring).
• Evaluate India’s polar research programme — strategic importance of Arctic and Antarctic presence in the context of climate change, resource exploration, and geopolitics.

GS3 — Disaster Management:

• IMD’s cyclone warning system (under ACROSS) has significantly reduced cyclone-related mortality — discuss the science-to-service pipeline.
• Role of INCOIS in tsunami early warning for the Indian Ocean region.

Analytical Questions:

• “Discuss how the PRITHVI scheme integrates multiple earth science disciplines for better climate change understanding and disaster management.”
• “Critically evaluate India’s polar research programme. How does PACER contribute to India’s strategic interests in the Arctic and Antarctic?”
• “How does the umbrella scheme approach in PRITHVI improve research efficiency compared to standalone sub-schemes?”

Interview Angle: “India spends roughly ₹960 crore per year on earth sciences through PRITHVI, while the US spends over $6 billion through NOAA alone. Is India’s investment adequate given its vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters?”