Science ยท GS3
PRITHVI Earth-system science scheme
One line
The PRITHVI scheme integrates observation, research, modelling, hazard services, and exploration across the atmosphere, oceans, land, ice, and biosphere.
Summary
Weather, climate, oceans, earthquakes, and polar processes interact. Treating them as one Earth system improves forecasts and risk assessment, but reliable services require long observation records, computing, open data, and skilled scientists.
PYQ pattern
UPSC frequently tests Earth-system components, ocean-atmosphere interaction, weather hazards, and scientific institutions. Use the official UPSC question-paper archive.
Core notes
- PRITHVI expands to PRITHvi VIgyan and is administered by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- Objectives include cyclone, storm-surge, flood, heat-wave, thunderstorm, lightning, and tsunami services.
- The scheme also covers polar and high-seas research and technology for sustainable ocean-resource use.
Prelims lens
- The cryosphere includes glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice, and frozen ground.
- A storm surge is an abnormal coastal water rise driven mainly by a storm's winds and pressure.
- Earthquake monitoring cannot provide deterministic prediction of the exact time and place of every earthquake.
MCQ 1
Which of the following is part of the cryosphere?
- A. Glaciers
- B. Tropical forests only
- C. The liquid outer core
- D. Urban traffic
Reveal answerHide answer
A
The cryosphere covers frozen components of the Earth system.
MCQ 2
Consider the following statements:
- PRITHVI covers atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere.
- It is a monetary-policy programme of the Reserve Bank of India.
- A. 1 only
- B. 2 only
- C. Both 1 and 2
- D. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answerHide answer
A
It is an Earth-science scheme under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Mains
Question, 10 marks, 150 words: Explain why integrated Earth-system observation is essential for disaster-risk reduction in India.
Approach:
- Describe interactions among air, oceans, land, and ice.
- Connect observations with models and warnings.
- Discuss data gaps, uncertainty, last-mile communication, and local capacity.
- Suggest open data, denser networks, impact-based forecasts, and community protocols.