The government is leveraging science and technology across multiple sectors to strengthen disaster management and climate resilience, with a focus on health, agriculture and environmental sustainability, the Ministry of Science and Technology informed Parliament on Wednesday.
In a written reply, it was stated that nine National Missions have been launched under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) to provide an overarching framework for climate action. These missions cover key thematic areas including solar energy, energy efficiency, water, sustainable agriculture, the Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable habitat, Green India, strategic knowledge for climate change and health.
Under the NAPCC, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing two missions — the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) and the National Mission of Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC). These missions are aimed at promoting scientific research and developmental activities linked to climate adaptation and resilience.
As part of NMSKCC, Centres of Excellence have been established at institutions such as ICRISAT Hyderabad, Banaras Hindu University, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research for coordinated research on agriculture, health and climate resilience. Research on Himalayan agriculture is also being supported under NMSHE, while the Department of Biotechnology is backing efforts to improve crops and human health.
The ministry said that several technologies for disaster management and climate resilience are being developed with government support. DST and the Ministry of Earth Sciences have funded research on early warning systems for cyclones, floods, landslides, heatwaves, lightning, droughts and glacial lake outburst floods. Bilateral India–Netherlands projects are also underway to develop digital twins for adaptive urban resilience, low-cost disaster emergency services and AI-enabled smart forecasting systems. A dedicated Centre of Excellence on Disaster Risk Reduction has been established at IIT Roorkee.
In agriculture, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research is promoting smart technologies, precision farming, remote sensing, geospatial tools and digital agriculture to make farming more efficient and climate-resilient. DST and DBT are also supporting research on climate-resilient varieties of crops such as rice and chickpea.
The government is translating innovations into affordable products for rural areas through programmes that promote grassroots innovations in sanitation, water, energy, agriculture and livelihoods. The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser is implementing the Rural Technology Action Group initiative to adapt technologies such as affordable water purifiers, energy-efficient devices and farm tools for rural needs.
Support is also being extended to startups and entrepreneurship through incubation networks under initiatives such as the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations, Atal Innovation Mission and other science and technology entrepreneurship programmes.
To increase public awareness, DST’s climate change missions have a dedicated mandate for capacity building and outreach. State Climate Change Cells have been set up in 30 states and Union Territories, while Centres of Excellence and the National Council for Science and Technology Communication are conducting awareness programmes through mass media, digital platforms and grassroots communication.
The ministry said these efforts collectively support sustainable development goals by improving livelihoods, expanding access to clean energy, water, sanitation and infrastructure through technology-driven interventions.
