- Why in news
- On 12 February 2026, the Science and Technology Minister told the Rajya Sabha about the projects and centres the Department of Science and Technology supports under NMSHE.
- What it is
- NMSHE is one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). It aims to assess the health of the Himalayan ecosystem and build knowledge and policy support for sustaining it. The Department of Science and Technology is the nodal agency.
- State Climate Change Centres
- SCCCs have been set up in all 13 States/UTs of the Indian Himalayan Region. They help states with vulnerability and risk assessment, awareness and capacity building.
- Centres of Excellence
- Three CoEs exist: University of Kashmir (Srinagar), Sikkim University (Gangtok) and Tezpur University (Tezpur).
- Areas of SCCC networking
- SCCCs are networked with experts for disaster risk reduction, GLOF risk assessment, Himalayan ecosystem dynamics, hydrology and climate resilience.
- Parent framework
- NMSHE is one of the eight national missions under the NAPCC, launched in 2008.
Don’t confuse with NMSHE vs NMSKCC: NMSHE (Himalayan ecosystem) and the National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change are separate NAPCC missions; both are run by DST.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Gives science-based inputs on glaciers, water and biodiversity for the fragile Himalayan region.
- Builds state-level capacity for climate risk and disaster planning.
Problems
- Research is spread across many institutions, so findings may not reach state planning easily.
Way forward
- Link SCCC outputs to state action plans and early warning systems for GLOFs and other hazards.
- 2017Mains GS3 · Q17Effects of climate change on India, especially Himalayan and coastal states.
- 2019Mains GS1 · Q15How to restore mountain ecosystems damaged by development and tourism?
- 2014Mains GS1 · Q20Relate shrinking Himalayan glaciers to climate change symptoms in subcontinent.
- 2026Prelims Q21Statements on India's climate response: LT-LEDS, BUR-4, climate-resilient development.
- 2026Prelims Q40Which is the first Plan Vivo certified REDD+ project in India?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Mission under NAPCC with State Climate Change Centres in 13 Himalayan States/UTs; a standing topic, but no fresh debate.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.