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Agro-meteorological Services in India

PYQs

1

Articles

1

Momentum

7

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Directly addresses farmer welfare, climate resilience in agriculture, food security, and the application of scientific knowledge for rural development. It's a key government initiative for mitigating weather-related risks in the agriculture sector.

Agro-meteorological services provide weather-related information and advisories specifically tailored for agricultural activities, helping farmers make informed decisions to optimize crop production, manage risks, and enhance resilience to weather variability. In India, these services are crucial for a largely agrarian economy susceptible to monsoon fluctuations and extreme weather events.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Implementation

Implemented by IMD under MoES, in collaboration with ICAR, SAUs, IITs, and MoPR.

Coverage and Frequency

Provides district-specific advisories twice a week, covering 127 agro-climatic zones across all agriculturally important districts.

Technological Basis

Leverages advanced forecasting technologies including Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models, AI/ML, and high-resolution systems like BharatFS.

Dissemination

Information disseminated through multiple digital platforms and mobile applications such as MEGHDOOT App, Mausamgram, e-Gramswaraj, SMS, TV, and radio.

Implementing Agency

India Meteorological Department (IMD)

Collaborating Institutions

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)

Coverage & Frequency

130 Agrometeorological Field Units (AMFUs) covering 127 agro-climatic zones; advisories issued twice a week

Dissemination Platforms

Meghdoot App, SMS, web portals, television, radio, social media

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaWelfare Schemes & Social Policies
Conceptual areaAgricultural Policies & Supply Chains
Conceptual areaClimate Change & Conventions
Conceptual areaAgriculture
Conceptual areaScience & Technology

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)Collaborates
India Meteorological Department (IMD)Implements
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)Oversees
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)Collaborates
Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR)Collaborates
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Purpose or function of a policy tool

Quick revision

  • GKMS provides district-specific agro-advisories.
  • IMD, MoES, ICAR, SAUs, MoPR are key stakeholders.
  • Utilizes advanced tech: HPC, NWP, AI/ML, DWRs.
  • Dissemination via apps (MEGHDOOT) and digital platforms.
  • Aims to enhance farmer resilience and productivity.

Topic timeline

Welfare Schemes & Social PoliciesAgricultural Policies & Supply ChainsClimate Change & ConventionsAgriculture
Prelims 2017· Statement-based questions, Purpose or function of a policy tool

What is/are the advantage/advantages of implementing the ‘National Agriculture Market’ (NAM) scheme? 1. It is a pan-India electronic trading portal for agr...

Open question

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: WEATHER-BASED AGRO-ADVISOR SERVICES

05 Aug 2026 · GKMS, an IMD-led scheme, delivers crucial, localized agro-meteorological advisories to farmers across India, enabling informed agricultural practices and mitigating weather-related risks, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity and farmer welfare.

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Related topics

Current topic

Agro-meteorological Services in India

Often confused with

Emerging Information Technologies in Weather Forecasting

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 1 linked question on Agro-meteorological Services in India in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Agro-meteorological Services in India

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

What is/are the advantage/advantages of implementing the ‘National Agriculture Market’ (NAM) scheme? 1. It is a pan-India electronic trading portal for agr...

2017·Economy
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