While recognizing the need to have reliable extended range prediction of the monsoon and to establish India’s stand on a variety of issues related to global warming and climate change, it is also recognized that basic research is crucial for improving any prediction capability. Keeping this national need in mind, the Institute has planned its research programs consisting of three components, viz., Science Plan, Infrastructure and Manpower.

• A system for long range prediction of seasonal mean monsoon and extended range prediction of active/break spells.
  
• Estimation of monsoon climate under different climate change scenarios and understanding of roles of internal variability and external forcing in predicting the future monsoon climate.
  
• Focused observational and modeling efforts to improve understanding of clouds and its interaction with environment leading to precipitation through simultaneous observations of cloud processes and environment involving a cloud and weather radar system, GPS Radiosonde, a network of lightning discharge etc.
  
• A multi-pronged Training Programme for the existing junior level scientists and research fellows at the IITM to build trained manpower on specialized areas to produce a pool of scientists to develop necessary skills to take up exciting problems in the field of atmospheric sciences especially in climate dynamics and extended range prediction of monsoon. Training to the Institute’s scientists at the selected international centres of excellence in other countries, as well as inviting a few internationally reputed scientists to impart training in specialized areas. To recruit experts required for different aspects of the programme.
  
• Development of infrastructure for promoting the research programmes on a sustained long-term basis. Acquisition of an appropriate computing system with very high number crunching capability, large memory, automatic data storage and retrieval system with sufficient storage capacity to carry out the work relating to the climate modelling and extended range prediction.
  
• Upgradation of the existing laboratories, renovation of workplace, modernization of library, information, publication and other supporting facilities like workshop, and limited Capital Works programme for construction of residential quarters of higher types and a students hostel.