• INCOIS is an autonomous institution established in 1999
• Functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
• Operates as a key unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO)
• Headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana
• Serves as India’s nodal agency for ocean information, advisories, and early warning services

Mandate and Core Objective

• To provide reliable, timely, and actionable ocean information
• Supports society, industry, government agencies, defence forces, and the scientific community
• Relies on sustained ocean observations, advanced modelling, and focused research

Key Functional Areas

• Tsunami and Marine Hazard Warning
  
  • Operates the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC)
  • Provides 24×7 monitoring for tsunamis, storm surges, high waves, and coastal inundation
  • Acts as the national nodal agency for tsunami advisories in India
• International Tsunami Services
  
  • UNESCO–IOC designated ITEWC as a Regional Tsunami Service Provider
  • Issues tsunami warnings to Indian Ocean Rim countries
  • Strengthens regional disaster preparedness and cooperation
• Fisheries Advisory Services
  
  • Provides Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories
  • Helps fishermen locate fish-rich areas
  • Reduces fuel consumption, time, and operational risks
• Ocean State Forecasting
  
  • Issues short-term forecasts (3–7 days) on
    • Waves
    • Ocean currents
    • Sea surface temperature
  • Supports shipping, oil and gas sector, Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and fishing communities

Ocean Observation and Data Management

• Deploys and maintains Ocean Observing Systems across the Indian Ocean
• Collects data on
  • Physical
  • Chemical
  • Biological ocean parameters
• Conducts quality control, archiving, and dissemination of ocean data
• Data is made accessible to researchers, students, policymakers, and institutions

National and Global Data Roles

• Designated as National Oceanographic Data Centre of India
• Recognised under the International Oceanographic Data Exchange (IODE) programme
• Serves as
  • National Argo Data Centre
  • Regional Argo Data Centre
• Acts as the regional data clearing house for the Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (IOGOOS)

Advanced Modelling and Climate Support

• Generates Global Ocean Analysis data on a daily basis
• Provides initial conditions for ocean–atmosphere coupled models
• Supports monsoon prediction and climate variability studies
• Enhances understanding of large-scale oceanic processes

Seismic and Geodetic Monitoring

• Established the Indian Seismic and GNSS Network (ISGN)
• Integrates seismic stations and GNSS stations
• Provides high-quality real-time data for
  • Earthquake studies
  • Tsunami modelling
  • Tectonic research
  • Operational warning systems

International Cooperation and Capacity Building

• Permanent member of India’s delegation to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
• Founding member of
  • Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (IOGOOS)
  • Partnership for Observing the Oceans (POGO)
• Actively involved in international training, research exchange, and capacity building
• Hosts
  • IOGOOS Secretariat
  • Sustained Indian Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research (SIBER) Programme Office

Multi-Hazard Early Warning Support

• Provides ocean forecasts to Africa and Asia through RIMES
• Supports multi-hazard early warning systems
• Strengthens regional resilience against ocean-related disasters

Overall Significance

• INCOIS is central to India’s shift towards science-based disaster risk reduction
• Enhances coastal safety, livelihood security, and marine governance
• Plays a strategic role in climate services, national security, and Blue Economy objectives
• Acts as a bridge between ocean science, policy formulation, and public welfare