NISCAIR (National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources) was a premier institution under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India. It was established in 2002 through the merger of NISCOM (National Institute of Science Communication) and INSDOC (Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre). The institute promoted scientific communication, information management, library services, documentation, and scientific publishing.
Quick Facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR) |
| Established | 2002 |
| Parent Organization | Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, India |
| Field | Science Communication, Library & Information Science, Documentation, Scientific Publishing |
| Status | Merged into CSIR-NIScPR on 1 April 2021 |
Objectives of NISCAIR
- Promote scientific communication in India.
- Publish scientific journals and magazines.
- Provide scientific documentation and information services.
- Develop digital repositories and bibliographic databases.
- Support researchers, students, and libraries with quality information resources.
Major Functions
- Publishing peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Publishing Science Reporter, a popular science magazine.
- Managing the National Science Library (NSL).
- Providing documentation and bibliographic services.
- Maintaining the National Open Access Repository (NOPR).
- Conducting training programmes in Library & Information Science and science communication.
Merger and Present Status
On 1 April 2021, NISCAIR was merged with CSIR-NISTADS (National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies) to form the CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR). The new institute focuses on scientific communication, policy research, scientific publishing, library services, and innovation research.
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1951 | INSDOC (Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre) established. |
| 1990s | NISCOM (National Institute of Science Communication) established. |
| 2002 | NISCAIR formed by merging NISCOM and INSDOC. |
| 2021 | NISCAIR merged with CSIR-NISTADS to form CSIR-NIScPR. |
Importance for Library & Information Science
- Supports scientific research through information services.
- Promotes digital libraries and open-access initiatives.
- Publishes quality scientific literature.
- Provides training in documentation and information management.
- Strengthens library and information services across India.
Conclusion
NISCAIR played a significant role in promoting scientific communication, documentation, and Library & Information Science in India. Although it was merged into CSIR-NIScPR in 2021, its legacy continues through scientific publishing, digital repositories, library services, and policy research.