India belongs to that select group of countries who manufacture their own upper air and surface instruments. This is done by the meteorological department through in-house production facilities.

The office of the Dy. Diretor General of Meteorology (Upper Air Instrument), New Delhi, consisting of Hydrogen Factory at Agra and Laboratories and Workshop at New Delhi, is responsible for co-ordination of all technical aspects related in the field of upper air instrumentation.

The office of the Dy. Director General of Meteorology (Surface Instruments), Pune, consisting of Laboratories and Workshop at Pune, is responsible for the surface instrumentation.

IMD's present Upper air observational network comprises 39 radiosonde and 62 pilot balloon observatories spread all over the country.

Systematic upper air observations began in the Department in 1905 at Shimla.

An upper air observatory was started in 1912 at Agra.

IMD manufactures its own radiosondes at its workshop in Delhi. IMD also supplies radiosondes to other agencies.

Hydrogen gas is produced at Agra for Radiosonde observations.

Research and development for improving the quality of upper air data is an on-going process at IMD.