India Develops 3D-Printed Automatic Weather Stations

In January 2026, Indian scientists have begun developing indigenously manufactured Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) using 3D-printing technology, marking a technological first aimed at strengthening last-mile weather observations, with initial installations planned in Delhi from February 2026.

Key Points:

Mission Mausam Initiative: The project is part of Mission Mausam, a ₹2,000 crore national programme to upgrade India’s weather observation and forecasting capabilities.
Initial Deployment: The first batch of next-generation AWS will be installed in Delhi from February, with other major cities to follow.
Urban Meteorology Focus: Cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai will see rapid expansion of AWS and radar installations over the next six months.
Key Weather Parameters: The stations will record temperature, wind, humidity, and rainfall, enabling more accurate local-level weather forecasts.
Solar-Powered Systems: The new AWS will be solar-powered, improving sustainability and enabling deployment in remote locations.
Cost and Efficiency Benefits: Unlike manual observatories, AWS automatically measure and transmit data, reducing operational costs while improving coverage.
Quality Assurance Measures: The new 3D-printed AWS will be installed alongside manual stations after rigorous testing, calibration, and validation to ensure accuracy.