India Develops 3D-Printed Automatic Weather Stations Under Mission Mausam

India Achieves Breakthrough in Weather Monitoring Technology

Indian scientists have reached a significant technological milestone by developing indigenously manufactured Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) using advanced 3D-printing technology. The first batch of these next-generation AWS will be deployed in Delhi from February 2026, marking a major step towards strengthening India’s weather observation and forecasting network, particularly for dense urban environments.

Mission Mausam and Institutional Leadership

The initiative is being led by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology under the Ministry of Earth Sciences as part of Mission Mausam. Mission Mausam is a Rs2,000 crore national programme aimed at upgrading India’s meteorological infrastructure by eliminating data gaps in weather observations. The mission places special emphasis on urban and climate-sensitive regions to improve forecast accuracy and early warning capabilities.

Technology and Design Advantages

Unlike conventional systems, the new AWS units are fully manufactured within India using 3D-printing technology under the Make in India initiative. These stations automatically measure parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and rainfall, transmitting data in real time. The use of 3D printing reduces production costs, allows flexible geometric design, and enables faster large-scale deployment. All units are solar-powered, making them suitable for both remote and urban locations.

Deployment Strategy and Quality Control

Delhi will be the first city to receive the 3D-printed AWS, followed by Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai over the next six months. To ensure reliability, the new stations will initially be installed alongside existing manual observatories for testing, calibration, and validation. Past concerns over faulty AWS data—due to sensor damage and improper siting—have informed stricter quality assurance and installation protocols.

Bridging Gaps in Weather Observation

Currently, the India Meteorological Department operates over 1,000 AWS nationwide. Experts note that this density is insufficient for hyper-local forecasts, especially in urban microclimates and complex terrains like the Himalayas. The rollout of 3D-printed AWS is expected to significantly enhance last-mile data coverage as weather patterns become increasingly erratic.

Important Facts for Exams

• Mission Mausam is a ?2,000 crore programme to strengthen India’s weather observation network.

• Automatic Weather Stations collect and transmit data without manual intervention.

• The new AWS are fully indigenous and produced using 3D-printing technology.

• All instruments are certified by IMD’s Surface Laboratory and recognised by BIS.