NCMRWF and NSIL Sign MoU to Establish Two DBNet Stations under Mission Mausam.

On 23 September 2025, the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New Space India Limited (NSIL), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Department of Space (DoS), at Prithvi Bhavan, New Delhi, to establish two Direct Broadcast Network (DBNet) stations in Delhi and Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN) as part of the Mission Mausam project.

      - DBNet is a global operational framework for real-time acquisition of data from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. It enables swift and efficient satellite data collection, supporting critical applications in weather forecasting and climate research.

      - The DBNet stations will receive data from Indian and international Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites, including India’s Oceansat, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States of America, USA), and MetOp (Meteorological Operational satellite, European Organisation), ensuring comprehensive Earth observation coverage.

      - DBNet plays a crucial role in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP), cyclone monitoring, and climate research, contributing to improved forecasting and disaster preparedness.

Main Point :-   (i) The processed satellite data will be shared with international users through the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Information System – 2.0 (WIS 2.0), enhancing global DBNet coverage and collaboration in meteorological sciences.

      (ii) The MoU provides near real-time LEO satellite data, with NCMRWF processing it within 5 minutes of overpass, enabling accurate short- to medium-range forecasts and faster warnings for cyclones, floods, and extreme weather.

(iii) Approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2024 with a budget of Rs. 2,000 crore, Mission Mausam is a flagship initiative of MoES aimed at positioning India as a global leader in weather and climate sciences. It is implemented by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), NCMRWF, and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).
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