Established in : 1981.
 

MANDATE

• To carry out research in various areas of science and technology studies (STS).
• To provide consultancy services and undertake sponsered research and comissioned studies for international and national agencies, central and local goverment bodies, industries and other organisations concerned with policy formulation, planning and management of science and technology.
• To provide training to scholars and funtionaries from India and other developing countries in the areas of expertise of the institute.
• To build, maintain and provide services based on information data banks in science policy areas and archives of science and technology.

SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS
Area-wise important studies carried out by NISTADS include:

1. Technology assessment and forecasting.
2. Resource Planning and Utilization of Regional development.
3. Information Systems and Databases for S&T.
4. Science and Technology Indicators.
5. Socialogy of  Science
6. History ans Philosophy of Science.
7. Women and Science & Technology.
8. Application of S&T to rural areas.
9. Research and Training on R&D Management.

Technology Assessment and Forecasting : (a) R&D/industry status studies on aluminium, sugar, cement, drugs, pesticides, polymers, etc.; (b) information technology fears, concerns and relalities; (c) R&D in Indian industries-determinants and policy implications; (d) Linkages of R&D institues with industry and academic institutions; (e) Technology utilization systems of major scientific agencies in India; (f) Evaluation of industrial R&D and commercialization capabilities in biotechnologies; (g) Projections  in biotechnology products in health and agriculture sectors.

Resouce Planning and Utilization  for Regional Development : (a) Application of Geographic Information System (GIS) to desert development, wasteland development and rural land management programmes in parts of Harayana;(b)  development of Natural Resources Data Management Systems (NRDMS) for a number of districts; and (c) Preparation of thematic maps of various regions using satellite imagenaries and GIS as a part of developing information systems for environmental pollution and land use; five training progammes have ben conducted for Central and State Pollution Control Boards and Misintry of Environment and Forests.

Information Systems and Databases for S&T : (a) Software development - (i) Integrated Mangement and Product Accounting  (IM-PACT) systems in collaboration with CSIR, which is now being implemented in all CSIR laboratoties; (ii) Devnagri version of  CDS/ISIS; and (iii) Conversion of Science Citation Index databases to CDS/ISIS database; and (b) Development of textual databases (i) Indian and international literature on science policy studies, and (ii) information on Indian archival resources in S&T.

Science and Technology Indicators : (a) Report on Indian S&T indicators; (b) Opinion survey of (i) scientists and engineers on problems releated to scientific research and, in general, of management of science and technology in India; (ii) attitudes of MP's towards science and technology and tehir participation inthe formulation of science policiy; and (iii) S&T professionals in R&D organizations and those in the industry on Draft Technology policy and (c) Scientometric profiles of (i) academic science in India (ii) research priorities and transnational linkages in science, (iii) laser research, physics research, monsoon research, etc. in India.

Sociology of Science : (a) Emergence of Indian science community and professionalization of science; (b) Comparitive sociological studies on the organization and performance of research units in six countries; and (c) Braibdrain and scietific communities in India.

History and Philosophy of Science :(a) database of manuscripts, literature and other studies on traditional Indian logic, mathematics and linguistics; (b) Viability study of the technical language of Navya Nyaya; (c) Construting compatable models of of mind based on Jaina, Nyaya and Buddhist traditions; and (d) Studies on patterns of ' colonial ' science : science administration, science education , institutional and professional growth in science and natural resources management in India from 18^th to 20^th century. Women and Science & Technology: (a) Women's participation in R&D and academic organizations; (b) Women technicians in India; and (c) Evaluation of S&T projects for women's welfare in agriculture sector.
Application of S&T to rural areas: Technology improvement and product diversification for village artisians for manufacturing fishing hooks and potteries in Bankura (West Bangal), and potteries and leather in Mewat (Haryana).
Research and training on R&D management: Research & training workshops have been held on research productivity, marketing leadership, internal and external communication, rewards system, quality of work life, etc. for CSIR laboratories.
                       
DIRECTOR
Dr . Ashok Jain, M.Sc., Ph.D.

CONTACT ADDRESS
Dr K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110 012.
Telephone: (091)11-5743227, 5714064.
Telegram : NISTADS, NEW DELHI.
Telex    : 031-77182 NSTD IN.
Fax      : (091)11-5754640.
E-mail   : nistads@sirnetm.ernet.in.