The scale height of water vapor over tropical Indian Ocean was computed from NOAA/TOVS satellite data. This scale height of water vapor obtained from satellite data was compared with ship radiosonde data and was found to be within 10% rms error. Variable scale height of water vapor computed at each grid point was used to correct the moisture profile over tropical Indian Ocean. The results indicate that rms of specific humidity computed at different levels reduces significantly using a variable scale height model in comparison to constant scale height model. ¿American Geophysical Union 1994