The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, organized the First Stakeholder Consultation Meeting of the Climate Science into Services for India Forum (CSSIF) on 17 October 2026. The event brought together more than 150 participants from over 80 institutions including government ministries, operational agencies, research institutions, NGOs, civil society, and private sector organizations.
The consultation focused on connecting climate science with practical services to support policy-relevant information and informed decision-making across sectors. Technical sessions covered weather and climate products, climate models, data, and the need for a Climate Services Information System (CSIS) for the nation. Dr. Rupa Kumar Kolli, Former Chief of WMO Climate Applications and Services Division, emphasized the need for a national CSIS.
Sectoral consultations featured thematic breakout groups addressing Health (with special focus on climate extremes), Energy and Finance (including renewable energy transition, insurance, and economic risk assessment), and Climate Projections and Services (covering marine heatwaves, marine productivity, and coastal vulnerability). Additional groups discussed water resources, agriculture, food security, and disaster management with focus on precipitation, heat, and wildfires.
Key participating organizations included Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India Meteorological Department, Naval Headquarters, National Disaster Response Force, National Institute of Disaster Management, Central Water and Power Research Station, Reserve Bank of India, and various national centers including NCMRWF, NCPOR, INCOIS, NCCR, NIV, and NIE. State-level participation came from State Disaster Management Authorities, state Environment Departments, Pune Municipal Corporation, Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, and agencies from Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Bihar.
The meeting marked the beginning of sustained engagement under CSSIF toward developing scientifically robust, user-oriented climate information and services for India. The key recommendations emerging from the consultation will help strengthen the interface between climate science, services, policy, and societal needs.