ScienceAtmospheric & Oceanic Sciences

Meteorologist (IMD)

Meteorologists analyze atmospheric data, run numerical models and issue forecasts and warnings used by government, agriculture, aviation and disaster management agencies across India. Many work with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) or research institutes and combine field observations, satellite/radar data and modelling to predict weather and climate impacts.

Salary range

₹6–18 LPA

Job growth

high

Work type

Field / Office / Remote

Paths to entry

3 routes

Actions for your grade

Continue with maths and science; aim for high marks in board exams
Participate in science fairs or small weather-monitoring projects
Start learning basic programming (Python) and statistics

Actions for your grade

Continue with maths and science; aim for high marks in board exams
Participate in science fairs or small weather-monitoring projects
Start learning basic programming (Python) and statistics

Your complete path from Grade 10 to Meteorologist (IMD)

Every step you need — from now to your first job.

B.Sc → M.Sc → IMD / Research

Science

Enter B.Sc via CUET UG where offered; follow with an M.Sc and research internships to qualify for IMD scientist posts.

Now
Science Stream
Exams
CUET UG
Degree
B.Sc (Honours) in Atmospheric Sciences / Physics (3 years) → M.Sc in Meteorology/Atmospheric Science (2 years)
Colleges
University of Delhi · Banaras Hindu University · Calcutta University
Career
Meteorologist (IMD)

Engineering route (Numerical Modelling / Instrumentation)

Science

Engineering background helps with numerical modelling, instrumentation and remote-sensing; follow with M.Tech or M.Sc for specialist roles.

Now
Science Stream
Exams
JEE Main or JEE Advanced or BITSAT
Degree
B.Tech / B.E. in Atmospheric / Applied Physics / Earth Sciences (4 years)
Colleges
IIT Bombay · IIT Delhi · BITS Pilani
Career
Meteorologist (IMD)

Direct M.Sc / Research institute entry

Science

Research institutes and national labs offer projects and training fellowships; M.Sc plus project experience is valuable for IMD recruitment.

Now
Science Stream
Exams
CUET UG
Degree
M.Sc in Atmospheric Science / Meteorology (2 years) — for graduates with relevant B.Sc/B.Tech
Colleges
IISc Bengaluru · Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology Pune · Punjab University
Career
Meteorologist (IMD)

Entrance exams

Exam	Eligibility	Difficulty	Window
JEE Main NTA	Class 12 PCM	Very Hard	Jan & Apr
JEE Advanced IIT (rotating)	JEE Main top 2.5L	Very Hard	May
BITSAT BITS Pilani	Class 12 PCM, 75%+	Hard	May-Jun
CUET UG NTA	Class 12 (any stream)	Medium	May-Jun

Where to Study

Institutes known to offer this career pathway in India.

University of Delhi

Banaras Hindu University

Calcutta University

IIT Bombay

Central GovtMumbai, Maharashtra

JEE Advanced + JoSAA

IIT Delhi

Central GovtNew Delhi, Delhi

JEE Advanced + JoSAA

BITS Pilani

Deemed UniversityPilani, Rajasthan

BITSAT

IISc Bengaluru

Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology Pune

Punjab University

Recommendations only — verify eligibility, seat availability, and admission rules from official portals before applying.