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The National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL) has been engaged in atmospheric research through observations, development of new equipment and numerical weather prediction. Research activities carried out at NARL have helped develop indigenous technology and techniques for atmospheric and space research in the country.

Major areas in which NARL has made contributions towards Atmanirbhar Bharat are as follows:

1. Atmospheric radars: Technologies developed in the radar field have been used to make indigenous atmospheric radar systems for carrying out atmospheric measurements for understanding atmospheric processes including meteorology and various applications. These systems have been developed with the participation of industry. These include the most sophisticated 53 MHz high-power MST radar, a 1.28 GHz Lower Atmospheric Wind Profiler and a low-cost 445 MHz wind profiler radar for meteorological applications.
2. Ionospheric radars: Technologies developed in the radar field have been used to establish the 30 MHz Gadanki Ionospheric Radar Interferometer (GIRI) for measuring the ionospheric plasma irregularities, a component of the space weather. Recently, a sweep frequency HF sounder has been developed, which is similar to an ionosonde. This system can be used from the ground as well as space to measure electron density profiles and ionospheric drifts.
3. Atmospheric lidars: NARL has developed low and high-power lidars for obtaining height profiles of aerosol concentrations in the lower atmosphere and temperature in the middle atmosphere. Low-power lidars, which include micro-pulse lidar, boundary layer lidar and dual polarization lidar, provide measurements of aerosols and clouds. High-power Rayleigh/Mie lidars and Rayleigh Doppler lidars provide information on temperature and wind field in the stratosphere and mesosphere regions.
4. High-resolution weather forecasting for rocket launch: NARL has developed a high resolution weather forecasting system using a petascale computing machine to meet the high-resolution weather forecasting requirement for rocket launching from Sriharikota.