Ministry of Earth Sciences (India)

Ministry of Earth Sciences (India)
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Agency name	Ministry of Earth Sciences
Native name	MoES
Formed	2006
Preceding1	Department of Ocean Development
Jurisdiction	Republic of India
Headquarters	New Delhi
Minister1 name	Cabinet Minister
Minister1 pfo	Union Council of Ministers
Chief1 name	Secretary (Earth Sciences)
Chief1 pfo	Ministry of Earth Sciences

Ministry of Earth Sciences (India) is a central administrative body created to integrate operational services and research in Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea affairs and allied scientific domains. It consolidated predecessor agencies to coordinate meteorology, oceanography, geophysics and seismology, linking policy instruments across New Delhi, Ministry of Home Affairs (India), Niti Aayog and regional platforms. The ministry supports national infrastructure, disaster mitigation and strategic maritime initiatives through a network of laboratories, observatories and satellite collaborations.

History

The ministry traces origins to the Department of Space era initiatives and the Department of Ocean Development which responded to events such as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and institutional reforms recommended by panels including the Expert Committee on Ocean Development. It was established following administrative reviews involving the Planning Commission (India) and cabinet decisions under the Manmohan Singh ministry to integrate capabilities spanning the India Meteorological Department, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, and regional oceanographic programmes. Subsequent milestones include deployments tied to the Chennai 2004 tsunami response, collaborations after the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, and expansions to participate in multinational exercises like INDO-US observational projects and Indian Ocean Rim Association initiatives.

Organisation and Structure

The ministry’s secretariat in New Delhi supervises subordinate agencies such as the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, India Meteorological Department, and the National Institute of Ocean Technology. Its administrative hierarchy aligns a Secretary (Earth Sciences) with technical directors from institutes including the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research and the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology. Governance involves coordination with statutory bodies like the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet and interfaces with ministries such as the Ministry of Defence (India), Ministry of Shipping (India), and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (India). Regional nodes operate in states including Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala, and Maharashtra to manage coastally focused services and research facilities.

Functions and Mandate

Mandates encompass operational forecasting via the India Meteorological Department, ocean state services through the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, seismic monitoring via the National Centre for Seismology, and technological development at the National Institute of Ocean Technology. The ministry provides advisories relevant to agencies such as Directorate General of Shipping, National Disaster Management Authority (India), Coast Guard of India and supports resource assessment linked with institutions like the Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation. It contributes to policy processes involving the Ministry of External Affairs (India), participates in treaty dialogues such as United Nations United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea negotiations, and advises on infrastructure projects coordinated with entities like Indian Railways and the Ports Authority.

Programmes and Services

Operational programmes include monsoon forecasting in coordination with the Monsoon Mission, cyclone warnings in collaboration with regional centres involved in Bay of Bengal cyclone monitoring, and ocean observation via fleets such as research vessels modeled after platforms like INS Sagardhwani. Services extend to tsunami early warning systems linked to the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre, coastal zone management support for state agencies, and marine biodiversity assessments with partners including the Zoological Survey of India and the Botanical Survey of India. Capacity-building programmes collaborate with universities such as the Indian Institute of Science, Indian Institutes of Technology, University of Mumbai, and international partners like National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.

Research Institutions and Institutes

Key institutes under its aegis include the India Meteorological Department, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, National Institute of Ocean Technology, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, National Centre for Seismology, and the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology. Associated laboratories and centres engage with organizations like the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Indian Space Research Organisation, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, and academic collaborators such as the Jawaharlal Nehru University and Pondicherry University. Field stations operate in strategic locations like Port Blair, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, and Kakinada and support projects linked to international research programmes such as Argo and Global Ocean Observing System.

Budget and Finance

Funding is allocated through annual appropriations approved by the Ministry of Finance (India), debated in the Parliament of India and monitored by oversight committees including the Standing Committee on Science and Technology. Budget lines support capital expenditure for platforms, satellites procured via the Indian Space Research Organisation, recurrent costs of institutes like the India Meteorological Department, and externally funded projects with multilateral partners such as the World Bank and United Nations Development Programme. Financial management conforms to audit practices of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and procurement norms administered by the Central Public Works Department.

International Cooperation and Policy Contributions

The ministry engages in diplomacy through multilateral forums including the Indian Ocean Rim Association, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, and bilateral science agreements with countries such as United States, Japan, Australia, France, and Russia. It contributes to international assessments like reports under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and collaborates on initiatives such as Blue Economy strategies, regional climate resilience projects with the Asian Development Bank, and maritime observatory networks connected to Global Ocean Observing System and Argo. Policy inputs inform negotiations at United Nations bodies and regional security dialogues including Indian Ocean Naval Symposium.

Category:Government ministries of India Category:Oceanography organizations Category:Meteorological organizations