CSIR - National Institute For Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST)

NIIST was established in 1975 as a CSIR Complex, later named the Regional Research Laboratory (RRL), Trivandrum in 1978, and renamed NIIST in 2007. It originated from a request by the Kerala Government in the early 1970s for a CSIR laboratory in the state. The Industrial Testing and Research Laboratory (ITRL), Thiruvananthapuram, was transferred to CSIR as the nucleus of the new complex, initially focusing on spices, plantation products, flavour technology, and clay-based ceramics, with guidance from CFTRI, Mysore, and CGCRI, Kolkata. Dr. A.G. Mathew served as Scientist-in-Charge until Dr. P.K. Rohatgi became the first Director in 1977. In December 1978, the complex was upgraded to RRL Trivandrum, an independent national laboratory under CSIR. Today, NIIST has around 80 scientists and 300 research fellows working across divisions including Advanced Functional Materials, Agro and Food Processing Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Biosciences and Bioengineering, Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies, Centre of Excellence in Ayurveda Research, Chemical Sciences and Technology, Critical Minerals and Metals, and Environmental Technology. The institute emphasizes basic research, technology development, commercialization, and collaborations with national and international agencies. The current director is Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan.