Achievements of CSIR: High points in science, technology and innovation

Source: The post is based on the article “High points in science, technology and innovation” published in The Hindu on 17^th August 2022.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Relevance: About the achievements of CSIR.

News: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has undertaken its mission effectively since Independence.

What is the responsibility of CSIR in 1947?

CSIR had been founded in 1942. In 1947, India has a GDP of a mere ₹2.7 lakh crore and food grain production of a meagre of 50 million tonnes.

The challenges of educating the people, feeding the population, implementing democracy, promoting industry and trade, and ensuring the country’s security. In this situation, the CSIR took the responsibility of

a) Developing the science, technology and innovation ecosystem, b) Establishing a number of national laboratories under its umbrella, and c) Promoting similar organisations independently.

What are a few major achievements of CSIR?

1) The CSIR started five of its own laboratories with support from the government and industry and raised resources through crowdsourcing, 2) In collaboration with the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, the Government (through the CSIR) started the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 3) The development of national calender: CSIR setup a committee under the Chairmanship of Meghnad Saha. Based on the committee’s science and technology-based solutions a national calendar has been adopted, 4) The CSIR’s National Physical Laboratory developed the indelible ink made up of silver nitrate to address various challenges in voting.

Achievements of CSIR in leather industry

a) CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) was established in 1948, it developed technologies for finished leather products, such as the first-ever indigenous manufacture of leather chemicals, making the transition from semifinished to finished leather possible, b) CSIR-CLRI routinely trained the next generation manpower for the leather industry. As a result, more than 40% of personnel employed in the leather industry have been trained directly or indirectly in the CSIR-CLRI.

The leather industry employed less than 25,000 people at the time of Independence. Due to successful intervention by CSIR, the leather industry now has a workforce of more than 4.5 million, a large percentage of them being women. Further, Indian exports in this sector are close to $6 billion.

What are the achievements of CSIR in other technologies?

During the Green Revolution: The CSIR helped in the development of agrochemicals and the mechanisation of agriculture. Two public sector companies were founded, post-Independence, based on technologies developed in the CSIR’s laboratories.

Indigenous development of the Swaraj tractor at the CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), led to the formation of Punjab Tractors Ltd. in 1970.

Development of generic pharmaceutical industry: The production of anti-HIV drugs by processes developed in CSIR laboratories provided the necessary impetus to the growth of generic pharmaceutical companies.

Dairy sector: In the 1950s, when solving the infant food problem, the CSIR successfully developed technologies to convert buffalo milk into powder and commercialised it with the help of Amul Industries.

Other missions: The Aroma Mission of the CSIR in recent times has been transforming the lives of thousands of farmers across the country.

In upcoming years, CSIR will help in reducing dependence on natural resources, making all industrial processes circular, making technologies environmentally friendly and providing sufficient opportunities to all for living.