Which of the following statements with regard to India's indigenous new high resolution weather model, the 'Bharat Forecast System,' is/are correct ? 1. Its objective is to generate forecasts at the Panchayats cluster level. 2. It was developed by IIT Delhi. Select the answer using the code given below :
- (a) 1 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (a)
• The Bharat Forecast System (BFS), launched in May 2025, is a global weather model with a 6 km grid — the finest operational resolution in the world, compared with the 12 km of the earlier model.
• Statement 1 is correct: the higher resolution is meant to give localised forecasts and warnings down to the level of clusters of panchayats, improving farm advisories and disaster warnings.
• Statement 2 is wrong: BFS was developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, and runs on the Arka supercomputer; IIT Delhi had no role.
• The model uses a triangular-cubic-octahedral grid and is operated by the India Meteorological Department.
• Hence 1 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: BFS was developed by IITM Pune, not IIT Delhi.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Statement 2 is wrong, so both cannot be correct.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Statement 1 is correct: panchayat-cluster-level forecasting is the stated aim.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.