Mapping a Legacy: CSIR's Origins and Emergence from Necessity to Contemporary Milestones

Abstract

Under the efforts of Sir Ramaswamy Mudaliar & Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, Council of Scientific and Industrial research (CSIR) was established on 26 Sep 1942 as an autonomous body. Mainly because during the World War II, the need for establishing research organizations and new industries and creating scientific manpower resources in India was realized. CSIR's main objectives were to promote scientific knowledge and boost industrialization and economic growth in the country. Initially by 1943, five scientific national laboratories were established. CSIR supported extramural research to scientists working in universities and R&D institutions back in 1943 through ‘Research Schemes’.  Post-independence, CSIR played a major role in shaping science in India and Dr. Bhatnagar under the leadership of Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, established 12 national laboratories by the end of 1954. As a tribute to Dr. Bhatnagar, the most coveted and revered award ‘Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize’, is being awarded in the field of science and technology since 1957. Currently, CSIR has a dynamic network of 37 national laboratories, 39 outreach Centres, 3 Innovation Complexes, and 5 units. It covers a wide range of S&T – from radio and space physics, oceanography, chemicals, genomics, biotechnology, and nanotechnology to mining, aeronautics, instrumentation, environmental engineering, and information technology. CSIR plays a significant role in S & T human resource development, as it has been supporting a large number of research fellows/associates for pursuing their doctoral and postdoctoral research in universities and R&D institutions across the country.