Meteorologist
Studies the atmosphere to forecast weather, and how atmospheric and weather conditions affect the Earth and its people.
Overview
Meteorology is part of the Earth Sciences that deals with the study of atmosphere in order to forecast weather conditions. Meteorologists also study how the atmospheric and weather conditions affect the earth and its people.
Where they work
- Government meteorology department
- Air Force
- Space centre
- National remote sensing agency
- Colleges/universities
- Other private and public organizations
Work environment
It is a full-time job. You will work in an office setting. You are likely to work 8 to 9 hours every day, 5 to 6 days a week. This may vary from organization to organization.
Opportunities for differently abled exist in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You enjoy science
- You pay attention to details
- You like to analyze things (problems/situations)
- You like working with numbers
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics).
- 2Complete a Bachelor's degree (B.Tech./B.Sc.) in Meteorology.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete a Diploma in Meteorology.
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree in the same or allied field.
Forms, exams and applications
For admissions the card says you must qualify an entrance examination at national level (JEE Main, JEE Advanced etc.), state level (WBJEE, AP EAMCET etc.) or institute level (VET, IP etc.). AP EAMCET is now held as AP EAPCET. Exam names, eligibility and dates change — check the official notification.
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
This course is offered by the Department of Engineering. This list of institutes is indicative only. Please check if a private institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC and AICTE before applying.
Government institutes
- Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal
- Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, Kerala
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat
- Shivaji University, Vidyanagar, Kolhapur, Maharashtra
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi
- Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, Maharashtra
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal, Karnataka
- University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- NIIT University, Neemrana, Rajasthan
- Jain University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- KL University, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh
- Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Hyderabad, Telangana
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Junior Researcher
- 2Meteorologist
- 3Head of Department or Teacher
Related careers to explore
Seismologist
Geophysicist who studies earthquakes — the Earth's sudden, violent movements — and Earth materials from lab samples to the planet's core.
Space Scientist
Studies outer space — our solar system and other galaxies — by analysing data from instruments on orbiters, satellites and probes.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Science, Maths.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to researching.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Anna Mani (23 August 1918 – 16 August 2001) — An Indian physicist and meteorologist who served as Deputy Director General of the India Meteorological Department. She made significant contributions to meteorological instrumentation, and conducted research and published numerous papers on solar radiation, ozone and wind energy measurements.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 833 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.erieri.com/salary/job/meteorologist/india
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
This card is printed on page 833; the contents list gives 835. The Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) named on the card has been discontinued, and AP EAMCET is now held as AP EAPCET. The card gives two growth routes, ending as Head of Department or as Teacher; they are combined in the last step.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.