Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIR-CSIO)

Author: Mahatma Gandhi
Written: Around 1888–1889 , during his stay in London as a law student.
Type: Unpublished manuscript , not released during his lifetime.
Purpose: To guide Indian students going to London on how to live and study responsibly.
Content: Advice on food, clothing, housing, expenses, and moral conduct .
Main Message: Live simply, truthfully, and with self-discipline while respecting both Indian and Western values.
Cultural Insight: Encourages learning from the West without blindly imitating Western habits.
Significance: Shows Gandhi’s early ethical thinking and values that later shaped his philosophy.

CSIR-CSIO, Chandigarh, develops advanced scientific instruments, drives R&D, and supports innovation under the Ministry of Science & Tech.

Syllabus: Science and Tech (UPSC Prelims)

Established in 1959 in New Delhi and relocated to Chandigarh in 1962.
It is a national laboratory under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), functioning under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The institute focuses on research, design, and development of scientific and industrial instruments for multiple sectors.
Current Director: Prof. Shantanu Bhattacharya.

The CSIO campus, spread over 120 acres in Chandigarh, houses R&D laboratories, an Indo-Swiss Training Centre (ISTC), residential facilities, and a modern library with over 50,000 books and access to 2,000+ e-journals.

Major R&D areas include:

Offers PhD (Science/Engineering) and Integrated M.Tech–PhD programmes through the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR).
Conducts project training for B.Tech/M.Tech/PhD students and collaborates with premier institutions like IITs, NITs, and Panjab University.
Operates the Indo-Swiss Training Centre (ISTC), established in 1963 with Swiss collaboration, providing advanced diplomas in Die & Mould Technology, Mechatronics, and Industrial Automation.

Plays a crucial role in developing indigenous scientific instrumentation technology for sectors such as health, agriculture, environment, and national security.
Supports skill development through technical education and research collaboration.
Contributes to Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat by transferring know-how to industry for commercial applications.