- Why in news
- On 11 February 2026, the Minister of State for Science & Technology told the Lok Sabha in a written reply about NMSKCC work at Andhra University. The DST said it does not plan to set up any more Centres of Excellence under the Mission.
- What it is
- The National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change is one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008). The Department of Science and Technology runs it. It builds climate science knowledge, research capacity and data for policy and adaptation.
- Implementing department
- DST supported the Andhra University project under NMSKCC.
- Climate datasets
- The project produced 25 km and 10 km resolution datasets for 1970-2005 (hindcast) and the future periods 2020-2049 and 2070-2099.
- Funding
- Rs. 1.84 crore was sanctioned to Andhra University for the project.
- Capacity building
- The project trained over 300 researchers in regional climate modelling.
- Vulnerability mapping
- A district-level study placed Andhra Pradesh in the moderately vulnerable category. Key drivers were low forest area per 1,000 rural population and a high incidence of water-borne diseases.
- Parent framework
- NMSKCC is one of the eight national missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
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
- Regional climate projections and vulnerability maps help states plan adaptation, especially in agriculture.
- Trained researchers build India's own capacity in climate modelling.
Problems
- Funding and reach are small. Only one institution in Andhra Pradesh was supported.
- No further Centres of Excellence are planned, which limits expansion of the research network.
Way forward
- Link climate datasets and vulnerability maps to state and district adaptation plans.
- Widen the network of institutions and sustain funding for regional modelling.
Put in your answer
District vulnerability mapping: A DST-backed study under the Mission mapped climate vulnerability at district level across States/UTs; it placed Andhra Pradesh as moderately vulnerable.
NAPCC: NMSKCC is one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, launched in 2008.
- 2018Mains ESSAY · Q1Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India essay
- 2017Mains GS3 · Q17Climate change impacts on India, especially Himalayan and coastal states
- 2026Mains GS1 · Q15Role of satellite technologies in climate-smart agriculture and food security
- 2026Prelims Q21Statements on India's LT-LEDS, BUR-4 emissions, climate-resilient development
- 2022Prelims Q41Nature of Climate Action Tracker monitoring countries' emission pledges
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: One of the NAPCC missions, a lasting topic; this release gives only project figures, so no question.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.