What Is Bharat Forecast System & How Does It Work?

To boost India’s weather forecasting capabilities, the Ministry of Science and Technology launched the World’s First indigenous high-resolution Bharat Forecast System (BFS) by IITM on Monday (26 May 2025). It was acclaimed that this is the most precise, advanced, and high-resolution weather prediction model ever developed in India. BFS has now officially become operational after undergoing rigorous testing since its initial start in 2022.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, and Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, “This indigenous breakthrough positions India among global leaders in weather prediction. It’s a proud testament to our rise as the world’s 4th largest economy and showcases our ability to develop state-of-the-art, self-reliant scientific solutions is another feather in the Nation’s Cap.”

Launched first indigenously developed world-class high-resolution weather forecast system, "Bharat Forecast System" #BharatFS.

As India celebrates the rise of her economy to Rank 4 and looks forward to moving up to Rank 1, the forecast precision aims to consolidate India's… pic.twitter.com/Fm1H5nRpl6

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) May 26, 2025

Let’s break down what makes this system special and how it stands out compared to older models.

What is the Bharat Forecast System (BFS)?

Bharat Forecast System (BFS), which is developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune. The BFS is a state-of-the-art weather forecasting platform that merges satellite data, advanced atmospheric modelling, and high-speed computing to deliver fast, reliable weather updates.

The system ‘Arka’, which is used as a supercomputer, has a performance capacity of 11.77 petaflops and a massive storage capability of 33 petabytes. This BFS can process vast amounts of meteorological data quickly and with high precision, which can make it one of the fastest systems of its kind in the world.

How Does Bharat Forecast System (BFS) Work?

According to Dr. Parthasarathy Mukhopadhyay, a key scientist behind the project, the BFS system collects data from 40 Doppler Weather Radars positioned across India. These high-resolution sensors track weather patterns in real-time, allowing the system to generate hyper-local forecasts and nowcasts—short-term predictions that describe the current state of the weather.

Plans are in place to expand this network to 100 Doppler radars, which would enable nationwide nowcasting for the next two hours—a game-changer for urban planning, agriculture, and disaster preparedness.

What makes the Bharat Forecast System (BFS) better than other weather forecast systems?

1. Unmatched Speed

Earlier, a forecast from any weather model usually took 12 to 14 hours to produce. Now with the BFS, all weather models may now be predicted in 4–6 hours. The increased processing capacity made possible by the government's "Mission Mausam" programme is mostly enhanced by this enormous reduction in processing time.

2. Higher Accuracy

In Bharat Forecast System (BFS), speed is not the only upgrade that takes place. Accuracy has also been boosted to make the correct delivery of the weather forecast. Its cutting-edge computational capabilities, BFS delivers far more precise predictions, even at the panchayat level. This could be a better response in disaster-prone areas, which can improve the planning for the plantation for the farmers in the future and also help in public safety measures.

BFS has achieved a 30% improvement in forecasting extreme rainfall events and has shown significant progress in accurately tracking cyclone paths.

3. Localized Weather Forecasts

BFS can now provide weather forecasts for every 6 km grid, in contrast to previous systems that could only do so for areas up to 12 km broad. A significant step towards broader resilience to climate change. This nearly doubles the resolution, giving timely and customised weather updates to even small towns and villages.

How can the weather information reach every single person in India?

Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), emphasised that BFS marks a turning point in the government’s effort to democratise access to weather data. The system ensures that forecasts are not only faster and more accurate but also easier for communities across the country to understand and act upon.

With this launch, India has become the first country in the world to run a global forecasting system with such high spatial resolution in real time.

The system was officially given to the IMD by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who praised the achievement as a milestone in India's push toward self-reliance in meteorological science.

Conclusion

The Bharat Forecast System is more than just an advancement in technology. India is now at the forefront of global weather forecasting thanks to this revolutionary breakthrough. The Bharat Forecast System is poised to revolutionise weather forecasting and response in the years to come by combining localised data, advanced computers, and indigenous innovation.