**Executive Summary**
This document reports on the assessment of cloud seeding in Delhi, as answered in Parliament. It outlines a pilot project undertaken by the Department of Environment, GNCTD, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, to evaluate cloud seeding as an alternative for Delhi NCR pollution mitigation. The report also details efforts to improve air quality forecasting and management in the NCR. This information was submitted on 5th February 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Cloud Seeding Pilot Project:**
* The Department of Environment, GNCTD, and IIT Kanpur are conducting a pilot project for cloud seeding as a pollution mitigation strategy in Delhi NCR.
* GNCTD has paid Rs. 37,93,420 as the first installment to IIT Kanpur.
* The cloud seeding activity is in the trial stage, aiming to provide an emergency measure during high air-pollution events.
* **Ministry of Earth Sciences Involvement:**
* The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is not involved in ongoing cloud seeding operations across the country.
* IITM conducted a research study on rain enhancement through cloud seeding in India's rain shadow region (2017-2019) under the CAIPEEX program.
* **Air Quality Management in NCR (AIRWISE):**
* A comprehensive framework (AIRWISE) is being used to strengthen air quality management in the NCR.
* The framework integrates advanced monitoring, high-resolution emissions inventories, source apportionment, and predictive modeling.
* **Improvement in the Accuracy of Air-Quality Forecasting System:**
* Efforts are underway to improve the accuracy and reliability of air-quality forecasting, focusing on PM2.5 concentrations.
* Aims to support proactive air-quality management and timely implementation of control measures under GRAP.
* **Measurement-Based Source Apportionment of PM2.5 in New Delhi:**
* IITM has conducted near-real-time, measurement-based source apportionment of PM2.5 in Delhi during post-monsoon and winter seasons of 2025-26.
* This involves detailed chemical characterization of particulate matter.
* **Strengthening Model-Based Source Apportionment:**
* Model-based source apportionment using AIRWISE is being strengthened through evaluation and calibration.
* **Dynamic Emissions Inventory at 500 m Grid Resolution for NCR:**
* Aims to reflect current emission patterns with greater spatial and temporal granularity.
* The project is funded by the Central Pollution Control Board and supported by CAQM.
**Impact Analysis**
**Department of Environment, GNCTD:**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the cloud seeding pilot project and its funding.
* **Action Required:** Continue overseeing the pilot project in collaboration with IIT Kanpur.
**Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur:**
* **Impact:** Conducting the cloud seeding pilot project and receiving funding from GNCTD.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing the pilot project and providing necessary reports.
**Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM):**
* **Impact:** Involved in research studies related to rain enhancement and air quality management (AIRWISE).
* **Action Required:** Continue research and contributions to AIRWISE and emissions inventory development.
**Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):**
* **Impact:** Funding and supporting the development of the dynamic emissions inventory.
* **Action Required:** Continue supporting the emissions inventory project and its integration with air quality management efforts.
Key Entities Referenced
Delhi: The document discusses efforts to mitigate air pollution in Delhi using cloud seeding and other methods.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur: Undertaking a pilot project for cloud seeding in Delhi.
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES): The ministry's role in cloud seeding operations and related research is discussed.
AIRWISE (Air Quality Warning and Integrated decision Support system for Emissions): A framework developed by IITM, Pune for air-quality management in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): Supporting the development of a dynamic emissions inventory in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: ASSESSMENT OF
CLOUD SEEDING IN DELHI
Posted On: 05 FEB 2026 11:47AM by PIB Delhi
As approved by the Cabinet vide its Cabinet Decision No. 3200 dated 10.05.2025, Department of
Environment, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, in collaboration with the Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, is undertaking a pilot project titled “Technology Demonstration and
Evaluation of Cloud Seeding as an Alternative for Delhi NCR Pollution Mitigation.” The Department of
Environment, GNCTD, so far has paid an amount of Rs. 37,93,420 as the first installment to the Indian
Institute of Technology, Kanpur.
At present, the cloud seeding activity is at trial stage with the objective to have one more option to
provide relief as an emergency measure during episodic high air-pollution events when conducive cloud
cover is present.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is not involved in the ongoing cloud seeding operations in
various parts of the country. However, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), under the
Ministry, conducted a research study on rain enhancement through cloud seeding in the rain shadow
region of India during 2017-2019, as part of the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation
Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX) Program. Details of this research project and the outcome of the
study are available at
https://www.tropmet.res.in/~lip/Publication/Technical-Reports/CAIPEEX-Report-July2023.pdf .
Air-quality management in the National Capital Region (NCR) is being strengthened through a
comprehensive, science-based framework, AIRWISE (Air Quality Warning and Integrated decision
Support system for Emissions), developed by IITM, Pune in collaboration with the India Meteorological
Department (IMD). This framework integrates advanced monitoring, high-resolution emissions
inventories, source apportionment, and predictive modeling. The key steps being undertaken are outlined
below:
i. Improvement in the Accuracy of Air-Quality Forecasting System
Efforts are being initiated to explore possibilities for improving the accuracy and reliability
of the air-quality forecasting system for the NCR, with a particular focus on PM
2.5
concentrations. These improvements aim to support proactive air-quality management and
timely implementation of control measures under regulatory frameworks such as the Graded
Response Action Plan (GRAP). These measures are expected to significantly improve short-
term (1–3 day) forecasts, enabling early warnings, informed decision-making, and targeted
interventions during pollution episodes.
ii. Measurement-Based Source Apportionment of PM 2.5 in New DelhiIITM has carried out near-real-time, measurement-based source apportionment of PM in
2.5
Delhi in an experimental mode during the post-monsoon and winter seasons of 2025-26.
This analysis involves detailed chemical characterization of particulate matter collected at
the Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory in Rajendra Nagar, New Delhi.
iii. Strengthening Model-Based Source Apportionment of PM 2.5 through Measurement
Evaluation
Model-based source apportionment done using the AIRWISE framework is being further
strengthened by systematically evaluating and calibrating model outputs against
measurement-based source apportionment.
iv. Participation in the Development of a Dynamic Emissions Inventory at 500 m Grid Resolution
for the Entire NCR
This inventory aims to reflect current emission patterns with greater spatial and temporal
granularity. The project has been funded by the Central Pollution Control Board and
supported by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital
Region and the Adjoining Areas. IITM is one of the project partners along with the
Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Energy Research Institute (TERI),
and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi.
This information was submitted by Minister of State ( Independent Charge) Earth Sciences
Dr. Jitendra Singh in Rajya Sabha on 5th February 2026.
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