Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune: Overview and History
- In the 1950s, India’s need to understand the monsoon, weather systems, and climate-related processes became critical due to its post-Independence economic development.
- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recognized the need for meteorological research and training in tropical countries and suggested creating meteorological research institutes.
- Based on this recommendation, the Indian Government approved the creation of IITM in 1962, as part of the country’s Third Five Year Plan.
History and Evolution
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Initial Establishment:
- The institute was first established as the Institute of Tropical Meteorology (ITM) on 17 November 1962 in Pune, as a part of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
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Autonomy:
- In 1971, following a recommendation by the Committee for Organization of Scientific Research (COSR), the institute became an autonomous organization and was renamed Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).
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Administrative Changes:
- Initially, IITM operated under the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation.
- In 1985, it came under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology.
- Since 12 July 2006, IITM has been part of the newly formed Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
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Growth and Development of Infrastructure:
- IITM initially operated from Ramdurg House (a building of IMD) and several rented locations in Pune.
- The Pashan campus began development in the 1980s, and by 1989, the entire institute moved to its current campus.
Functions and Role of IITM
- Research Focus: IITM is a premier research institute dedicated to generating scientific knowledge in meteorology and atmospheric sciences, which has practical applications in various sectors such as:
- Agriculture
- Economics
- Health
- Water resources
- Transportation
- Communications
- Monsoon Meteorology: The institute serves as a national center for both basic and applied research in monsoon meteorology, focusing on understanding and predicting monsoon patterns in India.
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