changeadminIndia’s Minister of State for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, today inaugurated the world’s second “National Environmental Standard Laboratory” and the world’s fifth “National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration” at the CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi.
Addressing the 80th Foundation Day celebrations of CSIR–NPL here, the Minister said that while the “National Environmental Standard Laboratory” marks a significant leap in Environmental Governance for India, the “National Primary Standard Facility” positions India as a member of the Elite Global League in Solar Metrology.
Describing India’s premier scientific institutions as “monuments of 20th and 21st century India,” Dr Jitendra Singh said that laboratories like the CSIR–National Physical Laboratory embody India’s scientific journey from pre-Independence foundations to global technological leadership.
The Minister said that science and technology reforms will be the key drivers shaping India’s socio-economic future.
Recalling the unique legacy of CSIR–NPL, Dr Jitendra Singh noted that the laboratory was already operational before Independence and later became an integral pillar of India’s post-Independence scientific architecture.
He said CSIR itself predates independent India, making NPL one of the earliest “siblings” among the 37 CSIR laboratories. Highlighting its historic significance, the Minister recalled that the laboratory was mentored by eminent national leaders, including Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, calling NPL a rare institution where history and science intersect.
“For decades, half the nation synchronised its watches with the atomic clock housed at NPL,” the Minister said, underscoring the laboratory’s role in establishing Indian Standard Time (IST).
He said that this contribution quietly but profoundly shaped everyday life in India and remains a symbol of national integration through science. Emphasising public outreach, he suggested that such institutions must be showcased to students and citizens, much like historical monuments, to inspire scientific curiosity and help young minds discover their aptitude for science and innovation.
On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the National Environmental Standard Laboratory, describing it as a critical step towards strengthening India’s environmental governance framework.
He said that reliable, India-specific calibration and certification of air pollution monitoring systems was long overdue and would now enable transparent, traceable, and accurate environmental data.
The facility will support regulatory bodies, industries, and startups by ensuring that monitoring instruments are tested under Indian climatic conditions, thereby improving policy enforcement under programmes such as the National Clean Air Programme.
The Minister also inaugurated the National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration (Solar Energy Complex), terming it a “future-ready facility” that places India among a select group of global leaders in photovoltaic measurement standards.
Developed in collaboration with PTB, Germany, the laser-based Differential Spectral Responsivity (L-DSR) system achieves the lowest global uncertainty of 0.35% (k=2) for reference solar cell calibration.
Dr Jitendra Singh said the facility would reduce India’s dependence on foreign certification agencies, save foreign exchange, shorten calibration turnaround time, and enhance investor confidence in the country’s rapidly expanding solar sector.
Highlighting the government’s openness to public participation, the Minister said that even traditionally closed sectors are now being opened, reflecting the Prime Minister’s vision of integrated national development.
He noted that institutions like CSIR–NPL, despite limited financial resources, possess substantial intellectual and infrastructure assets that can be leveraged through collaboration with industry, MSMEs, and the private sector. Such integration, he said, will allow scientific institutions to contribute to economic growth in the years ahead directly.
Addressing the gathering, N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, congratulated the NPL fraternity on completing 80 years of service to the nation.
She highlighted that the laboratory now houses the world’s fifth-largest environmental calibration facility and the world’s second-best solar cell calibration facility, and urged the institution to aim to become world number one in its chosen domain.
She also underlined the strategic importance of NPL’s atomic clocks, stating that they would continue to support national timekeeping even under GPS-denied scenarios.
During the event, fourteen Phytochemical Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya (BNDs), jointly developed by CSIR-CIMAP and CSIR-NPL, were released, along with two Gas BNDs and one Silica Fume BND, thereby strengthening India’s quality assurance and metrological traceability ecosystem.
Several MoUs and technology transfer agreements were also concluded further to support indigenous manufacturing, startups, and MSMEs.
Concluding his address, Dr Jitendra Singh said that Indian scientists are no longer working in isolation within laboratories but are central to national expectations and aspirations. “The nation now looks to its scientific institutions to carry India from strength to strength,” he said, expressing confidence that CSIR–NPL will continue to play a defining role in India’s journey towards technological leadership and Atmanirbhar Bharat as the country moves towards 2047.
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