Indian Scientists Develop 3D-Print Automatic Weather Stations, Delhi To Get First In February

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Last Updated:January 03, 2026, 08:38 IST

Indian scientists led by IITM Pune are deploying 3D-printed Automatic Weather Stations in Delhi under Mission Mausam to strengthen India’s weather observation network.

New Delhi: In a significant technological first, Indian scientists have begun developing indigenously manufactured Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) using 3D-printing technology, a move aimed at strengthening last-mile weather observations across the country. The first batch of these next-generation stations is set to be installed in the national capital from February.

The initiative is part of the government’s ambitious Mission Mausam, a ₹2,000 crore programme to upgrade India’s weather observation and forecasting capabilities. The project is being led by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

“Our objective is to expand the observational network so comprehensively that data gaps are eliminated,” said Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). “Parameters such as temperature, wind, humidity and rainfall, when captured at more locations, will allow much more accurate local-level forecasts. We will begin with major cities like Delhi, and these stations will be powered by solar energy.”

Under Mission Mausam, the focus is on strengthening observational infrastructure, particularly urban meteorology. Cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai are expected to see a rapid expansion of AWS and radar installations over the next six months.

Unlike traditional manual observatories, AWS automatically measure and transmits weather data, significantly reducing operational costs. However, experts stress that proper calibration and maintenance are essential. The importance of accuracy was highlighted earlier this year when some AWS operated by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported unusually high temperatures, later traced to sensor damage or unsuitable site conditions.

To address such concerns, the new 3D printed AWS will be installed alongside existing manual stations after rigorous testing, calibration and validation. Speaking to CNN-News18, IITM Director Dr A. Suryachandra Rao said this is the first time AWS is being fully manufactured domestically using 3D printing under the Make in India initiative.

“These stations are not only cost-effective but also allow us to design complex components with precision,” he said. “We have already produced 50 units. Subject to satisfactory performance, the first batch will be deployed in major cities, with another 80 planned over the next six months.”

Manufacturing via 3D printing reduces costs, allows flexible design of geometric structures and is well-suited for large-scale production. All indigenously developed meteorological instruments are certified by IMD’s Surface Laboratory, which the Bureau of Indian Standards recognises.

At present, IMD operates more than 1,008 Automatic Weather Stations, 547 manual surface observatories, and 1,382 Automatic Rain Gauges nationwide. Scientists, however, have long pointed out that the existing network density is insufficient for highly localised forecasts, particularly for urban microclimates and complex terrains such as the remote Himalayan regions.

The rollout of 3D-printed AWS is expected to significantly bridge these gaps, improving forecast accuracy as weather patterns become increasingly erratic.

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