SCIENCES, RESEARCH, ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE
Meteorologist
Forecasts weather, cyclones and monsoon using satellite data and computer models.
Physics and Maths needed After a degree Government job
Facts checked 29/10/2026
Is this for me?
People in this work enjoy
- Using Physics and Maths on real, everyday things like rain and heat
- Working with satellites, radars and computer models
- Knowing your forecast helps farmers, fishermen and cyclone-hit districts
It may not suit you if you dislike
- Long years of study, with M.Sc almost always needed
- Few permanent posts, and notices do not come every year
- Shift duty, work during cyclones, and postings or transfers anywhere in India
- Class 11–12 subjects
- Class 12 with Physics and Maths (PCM). IMD's own rules for Scientific Assistants ask for Class 12 with Physics and Maths. Maths also matters because M.Sc Physics, Maths and Meteorology all use a lot of it.
- First degree
- B.Sc (Physics/Maths), 3 years, then M.Sc in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Physics or Maths, 2 years. B.Tech followed by M.Tech in atmospheric science is another way. A PhD helps for research jobs.
- Entrance exams
- For a government scientist's job at IMD: a recruitment notice, usually run by UPSC for Scientist-B (reported). For M.Sc admission: IIT JAM, CUET-PG or the university's own test, depending on the college (reported).
- Licence or registration
- None needed to start working.
Subjects that keep this door openClass 11–12: Physics + Mathematics.Physics and Maths needed.Way back: You can add the missing subject later as an extra subject (for example through NIOS) and still apply, but check the exam's and college's rules. A longer road, but open.Check your subjects against every career
What the work is like
Studying data from satellites, radars, weather balloons and ground stations. Running and checking computer forecast models. Issuing forecasts and warnings for rain, heat, cyclones and the monsoon. Advising farmers, airports, ports and disaster teams.
A day in the work
You reach the forecasting centre and check the latest satellite pictures, radar scans and overnight model runs. With your team, you compare what the models say with what the instruments show. You write the forecast and issue warnings, for example rain alerts or a cyclone track. During a cyclone or a monsoon onset the work can run long, and you speak to disaster officials and the press.
The path, step by step
- Step 1 · Class 11–12Take Physics, Chemistry and Maths. Aim for good marks, because IMD notices ask for at least 60% in your qualifying degree. Start noticing weather: temperature, wind, clouds, rain.
- Step 2 · 3 years after Class 12B.Sc with Physics and Maths. Keep your percentage above 60% and learn some programming (Python or C). IMD's 2025 project notice listed Physics, Maths, Meteorology and Atmospheric Science among accepted subjects.
- Step 3 · 2 yearsM.Sc in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Physics or Maths. Admission is through IIT JAM, CUET-PG or a university test, depending on the college. Check each college's own notice. (reported — check with the official body)
- Step 4 · When a notice appearsApply for IMD Scientist-B on the UPSC online portal. In 2026, UPSC Advt 05/2026 was reported to have 46 posts across Atmospheric Sciences, General Meteorology and Instrumentation. General Meteorology took M.Sc Maths, Physics, Atmospheric Science or Meteorology. The upper age limit was reported as 35 for general candidates. Notices do not come every year, so read the exact year's notice. (reported — check with the official body)
- Step 5 · SelectionShortlisting, a recruitment test if too many apply, and then an interview of 100 marks, with minimum qualifying marks that differ by category. This is the 2026 pattern (reported); check the current notice. (reported — check with the official body)
- Step 6 · Joining, training and probationScientist-B is a Group A post, with postings anywhere in India (reported). For the related Scientific Assistant post, IMD's 2025 rules set 2 years of probation and at least 2 weeks of induction training. Scientist-B terms are in the UPSC notice. (reported — check with the official body)
- OptionalM.Tech or PhD in atmospheric science. These help with research posts, higher entry levels and work at research institutes.
Ways in
- Permanent scientist (Scientist-B)M.Sc in Maths, Physics, Atmospheric Science or Meteorology, then the UPSC notice for IMD. Vacancies are few and notices are irregular (reported).
- Scientific Assistant (Group B)A B.Sc with Physics, or a degree in Computer Science, Electronics or Instrumentation, after Class 12 with Physics and Maths. These are IMD's 2025 rules. It is a shorter, earlier way into the department.
- Contract project scientistIMD's November 2025 notice (Advt 02/2025) invited M.Sc or B.Tech graduates with 60% marks to short-term contract posts under Mission Mausam. These are temporary, not permanent jobs, but good experience.
- Research and academiaM.Sc, then M.Tech or PhD, then research institutes and universities. IISc's atmospheric and oceanic sciences centre lists IITM Pune, INCOIS Hyderabad and ISRO among places its students go.
Time and money
| Stage | Time | Government college or body | Private college | Help available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 11–12 (Physics, Chemistry, Maths) | 2 years | Your school's fees | Your school's fees | — |
| B.Sc (Physics/Maths) degree | 3 years | Check the college's fee page | Check the college's fee page | — |
| M.Sc entrance test (IIT JAM, CUET-PG or university test) | 1 day exam | Check the notice | Check the notice | — |
| M.Sc in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Physics or Maths | 2 years | Check the college's fee page; IIT Delhi MS(R) admits GATE-qualified students on assistantship seats | Check the college's fee page | IIT Delhi MS(R) assistantship seats for GATE-qualified students |
| IMD Scientist-B recruitment (UPSC notice, then probation) | Depends on notice; 2 years probation (Scientific Assistant rules) | Paid from joining, including probation; basic from ₹56,100 (reported) | — | Paid job; fee waived for women, SC, ST, PwBD (reported) |
Total timeAbout 5 years after Class 12 (3-year B.Sc plus 2-year M.Sc), then notice-dependent recruitment
Total costDepends mostly on the college you choose — compare fee pages.
Good to knowGovernment jobs pay you from the day you join, including during probation; the UPSC exam fee is waived for women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates (reported).
Fees from: IIT Delhi Centre for Atmospheric Sciences – MS(R) · IMD Scientific Assistant Recruitment Rules, 2025. Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.
What people earn
Official pay
Scientific Assistant (Group B): Pay Level 6 in the Pay Matrix (IMD Recruitment Rules, 2025). Scientist-B (Group A): Pay Level 10 (7th CPC), basic starting at ₹56,100 plus allowances (reported from the 2026 UPSC notice; I could not open the UPSC page). IMD contract project posts in 2025 were paid fixed monthly emoluments plus HRA, but these were not permanent jobs.
Government pay follows a fixed scale and rises with promotions and years of service, while private weather and research jobs vary a lot by employer, skills and city.
Myth and fact
Myth: You must have a degree called 'Meteorology' to work at IMD.
Fact: IMD's notices accept M.Sc or B.Tech in Physics, Maths, Meteorology, Atmospheric Science and some related subjects, usually with at least 60% marks. A strong Physics or Maths degree is a safe base.
For girls and students with disabilities
UPSC's 2026 Scientist-B notice was reported to give age relaxation to SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years) and PwBD (10 years) candidates, to keep a few PwBD posts, and to waive the fee for women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates (reported). Check the current notice for the exact rules.
Try it now
- Class 7–9Keep a weather diary for a month. Note temperature, wind, cloud and rain each day. Compare it with the forecast on the IMD website and see how often it matches.Open link ↗
- Class 10–12Pick one free SWAYAM course on Physics or Maths that you are weak in, and finish its first module this month.Open link ↗
- College or afterTake a free NPTEL course on Python or numerical methods, then try plotting a simple weather dataset. Programming is a core skill in this work.Open link ↗
Good to know
- I could read IMD's own notices (2021, 2025) but not the UPSC Scientist-B 2026 notice itself. The 2026 vacancy, age and pay details are marked reported. Always check upsc.gov.in and mausam.imd.gov.in for the current notice.
- You do not need a degree with 'Meteorology' in its name. IMD notices accept Physics, Maths or Atmospheric Science degrees, so a good B.Sc Physics or Maths keeps the door open.
- IMD jobs are few and posting can be anywhere in India. Many students also work at research institutes, universities, airlines, agriculture or private weather companies.
- Strong maths and some coding matter more than memorising facts. Forecasting today is mostly working with computer models and data.