(Rs.150 Crore Centre of Excellence for Climate Change to Drive Advanced Research, Data-Driven Policy Framework and Sector Specific Adaptive Sustainable Strategies)
JODHPUR ( RAJASTHAN) | 10 FEBRUARY 2026
In a major leap towards climate resilience and sustainable environmental governance, the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur (IIT Jodhpur) and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth ₹150 crore to establish a Centre of Excellence for Climate Change (CoE-CC) at IIT Jodhpur.
Envisioned under the Rajasthan State Budget 2025–26, this strategic initiative aims to bridge the critical gap between academic research and actionable public policy, positioning Rajasthan at the forefront of science-led climate adaptation and environmental management. The CoE-CC will function as a central nerve centre for climate intelligence, supporting the State in evidence-based decision-making and long-term resilience planning.
The Centre will focus on high-impact, application-oriented research with key thrust areas including:
- Advanced Climate and Pollution Modelling: Development of high-resolution climate and air pollutant maps at a granular scale of 25 km × 25 km.
- Early Warning Systems: Real-time forecasting and alert mechanisms for extreme climate events such as heatwaves, floods, and droughts.
- Integrated Climate Data Hub: Creation of a centralized repository for historical and real-time climate and environmental datasets.
- Sectoral Climate Resilience: Targeted adaptation strategies for critical sectors including water resources, agriculture, public health, and urban governance.
Beyond research, the collaboration will also support capacity building, training programmes, technical studies, expert consultations, and knowledge exchange, with strong deployment of artificial intelligence, data science, sensors, and advanced analytics for pollution monitoring, climate assessment, and regulatory support.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Avinash Kumar Agarwal, Director, IIT Jodhpur, said:
“Climate change and environmental degradation are among the most defining challenges of our time. Addressing them requires solutions that are rooted in science, driven by data, and aligned with societal needs. This Centre of Excellence, established in partnership with the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, reflects IIT Jodhpur’s commitment to translating cutting-edge research into policy-relevant, scalable, and impactful solutions for climate resilience and environmental governance.”
He further added:
“As an institution of national importance, IIT Jodhpur sees this collaboration as an opportunity to bridge the gap between research and real-world implementation. The outcomes of this Centre will not only strengthen regulatory frameworks but also safeguard livelihoods and contribute to building a sustainable and climate-resilient economy for Rajasthan.”
The collaboration is also expected to enhance the technical and institutional capacities of RSPCB officials through structured training and hands-on engagement, while offering IIT Jodhpur’s faculty and students meaningful exposure to real-world environmental and climate governance challenges.
The MoU was signed by Shri Kapil Chandrawal, Member Secretary, Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, and Prof. Deepak Swami, on behalf of IIT Jodhpur, marking the beginning of a long-term, mission-oriented partnership dedicated to sustainable development and climate resilience in Rajasthan.
This landmark association underscores a shared commitment by IIT Jodhpur and RSPCB to advance science-based policymaking, environmental protection, and climate adaptation, reinforcing the pivotal role of academic–government collaboration in addressing complex and evolving ecological challenges.
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