History

IRFA (now ICMR) 

Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) is established by Sir Harcourt Butler on November 15.

IjMR 

The Indian Journal of Medical        
Research (IJMR) starts (now a leading peer-reviewed indexed journal of biomedical research).

research on 

Research on indigenous drugs (under Col. R.N. Chopra at the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata) initiated.

malaria survey 

Central Malaria Organization known as "Malaria Survey of India" forms under the guidance of Lt. Col. S.R. Christophers with its first station set up in Karnal.

first 

First publication of "Records of Malaria Survey of India" (later renamed as Journal of Malaria Institute of India, then Indian Journal of Malariology, and now Journal of Vector Borne Diseases).

hygiene and 

The Governing Body of IRFA sets up the Institute of Hygiene and Public Health at Kolkata.

nutritive value 

The Nutritive Value of Indian Foods and Planning of Satisfactory Diets" is published for the first time for India.

the first ever 

The first-ever biomedical research fellowship scheme is initiated by IRFA aimed at nurturing health research in India.

transmission 

Transmission cycle of the parasite of Kala-azar is elucidated, which helps in prevention and control of the disease.

recommended 

Recommended Dietary         
Allowances (RDA) are made for the first time for the Indian context and are updated every 10 years.

Diet Survey in Progress

Filariasis 

National Programme for the control of Filariasis in association with the Malaria Institute of India is initiated.

Renaming of 

IRFA is renamed to the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Delivery of DEC medicated salt by vendors to the community for filariasis control.

bombay blood 

A new blood group, the Bombay blood group is discovered by Dr. H.M. Bhatia and his team in Bombay which saves numerous lives.

ICMR

The ICMR receives a grant from Col. Amir Chand for instituting a system that rewards research being conducted in Indian Medicine.

TB

The ICMR organizes the first nation-wide tuberculosis survey.

kyasanur 

Kyasanur forest disease (commonly called Monkey Fever) is discovered in the Sagar-Soraba district of Karnataka.

The Kyasanur Forest Fever virus: from discovery to creating vaccine.

home-based 

Demonstrated for the first time in the world that home-based treatment of TB is as successful as hospital- based treatment.

headquarters 

The ICMR Headquarters office moves in its newly constructed building in Ansari Nagar, New Delhi.

directly observed 

First ever pioneering study demonstrated that a fully supervised twice weekly regimen of streptomycin and isoniazid was as effective as unsupervised daily administration of PAS and isoniazid, laying the foundation of Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS).

DOTS

singh's 

Cell culture from mosquito tissues is established (known as Singh's cell line and used all over the world in the study of arboviruses).

chandipura 

Chandipura Virus is discovered as a causal agent for human encephalitis.

Chandipura Virus

iron-folate 

Iron-folate supplement is recommended to pregnant women. (Later implemented in the national programme in 1970).

protein 

ICMR dispels the myth that protein deficiency is the main reason for malnutrition and highlights the calorie gap as the actual bottle neck in Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM).

night 

National Prophylaxis Programme against Nutritional Blindness due to Vitamin A Deficiency is initiated after a series of trials by ICMR.

Human Leukocyte 

Establishment of first Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) department in India to provide tissue typing facilities for renal transplantation facilities at Blood Group Research Centre (BGRC), Mumbai.

home 

The demonstration of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) to prevent mortality due to diarrhea is carried out. Home available fluids (HAF) such as Sherbat (salt, sugar, lemon, either singly or in combination) or tender coconut water and pressed rice water is found to be effective as well.

National Nutrition 

ICMR sets up a chain of Regional Centres of National Nutrition Monitoring Bureaus, in different parts of India.

Goiter

ICMR demonstrates iodized salt controls endemic Goiter prevalence.

Ina 

The Ina blood group antigen was discovered by Dr. Badakere and his team at NIIH, and consequently, the Indian blood group system. Antibodies against this antigen carry clinical significance.

Chingleput 

'Chingleput Trial' (the largest ever-trial) demonstrates inefficiency of BCG vaccine in adults.

Hepatitis E 

Human Hepatitis E Virus is discovered.

Ethics 

Policy on ethical considerations involved in research on human subjects released.

National Cancer 

The National Cancer Registry Project starts with the establishment of Population and Hospital based Cancer Registries.

first 

The first genetic atlas of Indian tribes is compiled.

Test 

ICMR partners in India's scientifically established test tube baby at IRR (now NIRRH), Mumbai.

Test tube baby, Harsha with her child.

HIV Sero-

ICMR demonstrates the presence of HIV infection in India in 1980s and supports initiation of country-wide serosurveillance.

Brugia 

Shertalai Project: Demonstrated control of Brugian filariasis through IDVC methods.

Malaria 

Demonstrated bioenvironmental control of Malaria.

PG Course in 

Initiated M.Sc. in Public Health Entomology – the only course of its kind offered in India.

New Phage 

A new phage typing scheme for V. cholerae biotype El Tor strain is developed.

New Cholera 

A new toxigenic strain of V. cholerae 0139 is detected and characterized.

Leptospirosis 

Identified Andaman Fever as Leptospirosis, first reported In Andaman Islands among convicts during 1929.

Salt 

Double fortification of cooking salt with iron and iodine is achieved.

New 

Isolated and identified new serovar of new serogroup of Leptospira for first time causing pulmonary hemorrhages.

kala azar 

Miltefosine is validated as treatment for Kala Azar.

polio 

ICMR contributes significantly to Polio Research and Global Polio Eradication Program and helps in achieving Polio free status in India.

Immune chromatographic

Supports development of Immune-chromatographic dipstick kit for the rapid diagnosis of cholera.

PPE for 

Personal protective equipment (PPE) for tobacco harvesters is produced. Seamless knitted nylon gloves are found to be most suitable, durable, and feasible for the workers.

IndigenouS MAC-ELISA

Indigenous development of MAC-ELISA kits against dengue, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis viruses for diagnostic use in National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP) is carried out.

Direct 

Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) is established for early diagnosis of Kalazar.

Junior 

ICMR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is initiated to support young scientists to pursue research.

lymphatic 

Policy change in the national programme for Lymphatic Filariasis elimination to replace the single drug therapy with combination therapy.

Acute 

Identified acute flaccid paralysis for the first time that resembles Guillean-Barre syndrome - a complication of chikungunya, carrying implications for treatment.

DHR 

Department of Health Research (DHR) is created with support from ICMR in September.

CTRI 

Clinical Trial Registry of India CTRI (CTRI), a free and online public record system for registration of clinical trials being conducted in India is launched.

school of public health 

School of Public Health is established at National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai.

west nil 

Lineage 1 West Nile Virus (highly pathogenic lineage with outbreak potential in Western countries) is detected for the first time in India, in Kerala.

Bhopal Memorial 

Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre, Bhopal is transferred to ICMR for providing clinical services to Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims.

Pathogen 

A new test for detection of pathogens in food is developed and transferred to industry.

BSL 4 lab

The first high end biosafety level-IV laboratory (BSL) facility is established in Pune for epidemic preparedness and management.

MRU

ICMR initiates establishment of networks of Multi-Disciplinary Research Units (MRUs), Model Rural Health Research Units (MRHRUs), Viral Research & Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs).

JENVAC 

Indigenous vaccine 'JENVAC' for Japanese Encephalitis is launched.

AMR 

Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network established.

Vitamin A and Iron 

Dried Blood Spot (DBS) – collection kit for sub-clinical deficiency of Vitamin A and an ELISA-based kit to estimate iron in the blood are launched.

micronutrient mix for 

ICMR develops a micronutrient mix (containing seven micronutrients) to fight against anaemia.

TB 

India TB Research Consortium established.

WHO-FCTC 

National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research becomes seventh knowledge hub of WHO-FCTC (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control), globally.

Disease 

The India State Level Disease Burden Report is released which was the first comprehensive state wise disease burden estimation.

New 

ICMR has launched three new diagnostic kits for the detection of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) Sheep and Goat, Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Cattle, Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) from Mosquitos.

occupational 

Personal cooling garments for workers operating in high temperatures are developed.

Samrat Ashok 

Samrat Ashok Tropical Disease Research Centre is established at Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna.

ViraL outbreak 

Successfully contained Zika, Nipah and Canine Distemper Virus.

research 

RESEARCH 'Regional Enabler for South East Asia Research Collaboration for Health' platform launched in partnership with WHO and 10 countries to combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases in SE Asia Region.

detection kit for 

Point of Care diagnostic test for Nipah Virus is developed.

mera 

Launched Malaria Elimination Research Alliance (MERA) India to fast track malaria elimination.

E-cigarettes 

E-cigarettes ban Bill passed based on evidence report by ICMR.

Ethics 

ICMR "National Ethical Guidelines in Biomedical and Health Research Involving Human Participants, 2017" became legally binding under New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019.

Ethics 

National Ethics Committee Registry for Biomedical and Health Research (NECRBHR) is set up also known as the NAITIK Portal.

India Africa 

Established India-Africa Health Sciences Collaborative Platform (IAHSP) to initiate and strengthen India-Africa strategic partnership in the areas of Health Research.

AMR 

Antimicrobial Resistance Hub and National Repository of Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria (NRAMRB) at ICMR-NICED is inaugurated in September in Kolkata.

Brought out the special issue of IJMR titled "Gandhi and Health @150" to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

COVID-19 

SARS-CoV-2 is first reported in India by NIV Pune.

Isolated the virus.

Developed RT-PCR & ELISA for diagnosis.

Laboratory Investigations in National Institute of Virology, Pune.

Transmission electron microscopy image of SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19