Study/source reference: News: 29 May 2026 | IGI Airport, New Delhi | Actual publication date: 20 October 2026 | Science and Technology: weather observation and aviation
News Context:
A PIB release of the Ministry of Earth Sciences on 29 May 2026 gave information about the inauguration of the SkyCast system at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. It was described as an integrated aviation weather observation system developed under Mission Mausam.
Quick Identification:
SkyCast joins information from several atmospheric instruments. Different pieces of information related to fog, aerosols, wind, turbulence and visibility are useful together for flight operations.
About its radar wind profiler, the release describes observation of wind speed, direction, vertical velocity and boundary-layer dynamics up to about three kilometres.
The Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer gives information about fog droplets, aerosols and their interaction. The CL61 lidar-based ceilometer observes the vertical structure of fog.
Instruments and the attributes they measure
- Radar wind profiler: wind speed, direction and vertical structure
- Fog aerosol spectrometer: fog droplets and aerosols
- Lidar ceilometer: observation of the vertical structure of fog
Better weather information, not a fog-eliminating machine
If the image text appears small, tap the image to open it larger and zoom in.
An original concept diagram based on the article's original sources.
Why Does One Instrument Not Tell Everything?
Wind speed and the distribution of fog droplets are different physical attributes. The benefit of an integrated system is joining the complementary information of different instruments, not treating every instrument as an equal measurer of everything.
The release also mentions other instruments such as SODAR and a microwave radiometer. So the three roles given in the diagram are useful examples, not the system's complete instrument list.
From Observation to Operational Decision:
Information about the atmosphere near the runway is useful at the time of landing and take-off. The information can help pilots, airlines, airport operators and air traffic management take decisions.
Measuring the actual condition of a place, giving a near-term forecast and taking the decision to land an aircraft are separate steps. More information is not a guarantee of every risk ending.
The Limit of the Claim:
The expectation of fewer fog delays, diversions and cancelled flights should not be turned into a proven result that all flights will now run unhindered in every weather. Nor should SkyCast be understood as a machine that physically removes fog.
In the 29 May release, the Jewar facility was the next planned facility. A planned expansion has not been called an already-running system. A winter fog experiment called WiFEX was linked to this system's scientific base.
Prelims Style: Practice Questions
Question 1. Consider the following pairs:
1. Radar wind profiler - wind speed and direction
2. Fog aerosol spectrometer - droplets and aerosols
3. Lidar ceilometer - vertical structure of fog
How many pairs are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer and Explanation
Answer and Reason
Answer: (c). All three measurement roles match the official description.
Question 2. Which is the most appropriate purpose of SkyCast?
(a) Physically eliminating fog at the airport
(b) Joining different atmospheric measurements for aviation weather information
(c) Guaranteeing that no flight is cancelled
(d) Only checking passengers' identity
Answer and Explanation
Answer and Reason
Answer: (b). It is an integrated weather observation and information system.
Question 3. In the 29 May release, Jewar was proposed as the next facility. What conclusion follows?
(a) It was certainly operational from that very day
(b) All airports of the whole country had been connected
(c) There is no difference between a future plan and the current status
(d) On the basis of that source, it should not be assumed to be already running
Answer and Explanation
Answer and Reason
Answer: (d). A future plan is not by itself proof of actual operation.
Sources:
PIB, Ministry of Earth Sciences: SkyCast inauguration, 29 May 2026
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