CSIR-National Physical Laboratory Celebrates 79th Foundation Day with Academic and Research Collaborations

New Delhi. The CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi, marked its 79th Foundation Day with a grand celebration, emphasizing its legacy of scientific excellence and national contribution. Established under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), CSIR-NPL continues to lead as the National Metrology Institute (NMI) of India.

A Legacy of Precision and National Service

The foundation stone of CSIR-NPL was laid by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on 4th January 1947. Over the decades, the institute has been at the forefront of developing, maintaining, and disseminating national standards for measurements, playing a crucial role in scientific advancement and nation-building.

Celebratory Event Highlights

The 79th Foundation Day event was graced by Prof. Veezhinathan Kamakoti, Director of Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai, as the Chief Guest. Prof. Venugopal Achanta, Director of CSIR-NPL, delivered the inaugural address, emphasizing the laboratory's pioneering achievements in metrology, research, and technology development.

Prof. Achanta highlighted the organization's increasing visibility on national and international platforms, with its staff actively contributing to Asia Pacific Metrology Program (APMP) technical committees. He further encouraged leadership participation in global scientific forums.

Keynote Lecture on Metrology and India's Technological Future

The event featured a thought-provoking lecture by Prof. Kamakoti titled “Glancing into Metrology”, where he explored the strategic importance of metrology in achieving the Government of India’s VIKSIT BHARAT mission. He stressed the significance of quantum physical standards, quantum metrology, and semiconductor manufacturing in India’s technological progress.

Prof. Kamakoti elaborated on how quantum technologies like quantum computing, communication, and quantum key distribution can position India as a global technology superpower. He also highlighted opportunities and challenges in R&D, particularly in the certification and characterization of quantum technologies and semiconductors.

He emphasized the need for collaborations between CSIR-NPL and IIT Madras for the indigenous development of semiconductors and quantum technologies.

Signing of Key MoUs and Launch of New Standards

As part of the celebrations, CSIR-NPL signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs):

• IIT Madras: For academic and research collaborations.

• CSIR-CIMAP: For the production of Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya (BND), or Certified Reference Materials in the domain of plant-based materials.

Additionally, CSIR-NPL launched two significant new BNDs (Certified Reference Materials):

1. Lanthanum Hexaboride Powder (BND-2025): Designed for line position and line shape calibration standards for powder X-ray diffraction. This standard was developed by a team from CSIR-NPL.

2. White Portland Cement Standard (BND-5064): Developed in collaboration with National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCCBM), a reference material producer under the Government of India.

These standards aim to improve the accuracy and reliability of scientific measurements across industries and research sectors.

Vote of Thanks

The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr. S. R. Dhakate, Chief Scientist at CSIR-NPL, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, collaborators, and attendees.

Conclusion

The 79th Foundation Day of CSIR-NPL highlighted the institute's unwavering commitment to scientific progress and national development. Through cutting-edge collaborations, standard advancements, and knowledge sharing, CSIR-NPL continues to pioneer scientific excellence in India. The event reaffirmed its role as a key driver of technological innovation and scientific leadership in the country.