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How Much Has the Indian Government Allocated for Earth Sciences Research in the Current Fiscal Year?

In the rapidly evolving field of Earth Sciences, the Indian government continues to prioritize technological advancements and research that address critical environmental challenges. With the fiscal year 2024-25 underway, the government's commitment to enhancing climate modeling, disaster prediction, and natural resource assessment is reflected in its budget allocations. This article delves into the details of how much the Indian government has allocated for Earth Sciences research and the key areas of focus.

Budget Allocation Overview

For the fiscal year 2024-25, the Indian government, through the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has allocated a significant portion of its budget to support various research initiatives. The primary goal is to upgrade existing technology and enhance capabilities in critical areas such as climate modeling, disaster prediction, and natural resource assessment. Below is a detailed breakdown of the budget allocation:

Sector	Budget Allocation (INR Crores)
Atmosphere & Climate Research (ACROSS)	233.27
High-Performance Computing (HPC) Upgradation	Part of overall research budget
Deep Ocean Mission	Part of overall research budget
Artificial Intelligence & Remote Sensing	Integrated within research initiatives
Disaster Prediction and Management	Integrated within research initiatives

Key Focus Areas

Atmosphere & Climate Research: The Ministry of Earth Sciences has earmarked INR 233.27 crores under the central sector scheme Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS) for the India Meteorological Department (IMD) component. This funding supports the ongoing research and development of climate models and observing systems, essential for accurate weather forecasts and climate studies.

High-Performance Computing (HPC) Upgradation: The government has recognized the need to enhance the High-Performance Computing (HPC) facility, which is crucial for processing vast amounts of climate data. While the specific budget for HPC upgradation is part of the overall research budget, this initiative aims to increase computational power to 21.1 PFlops, significantly boosting India's capacity for weather prediction and climate analysis.

Deep Ocean Mission: As part of its long-term vision for oceanographic research, the Ministry is collaborating with national institutes to develop a manned submersible capable of exploring depths of up to 6000 meters. This ambitious project, while not detailed in the separate budget line, is a key focus under the government's research initiatives.

Artificial Intelligence & Remote Sensing: Integrating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and remote sensing into Earth Sciences research is a priority. These technologies are being utilized to improve weather, climate, and ocean forecasting. The funding for these technologies is embedded within various research programs, underscoring their importance in the ministry's overall strategy.

Disaster Prediction and Management: Given India's vulnerability to natural disasters, the government continues to invest in research that enhances disaster prediction and management. This includes improving early warning systems and developing more accurate prediction models, supported by AI and big data analytics.