Original Greenery where the Southern Laboratory now stands.jpg
A view of the green space overlooking the NCBS old campus, c 2005. By 2012, this space was filled by the Southern Lab Complex.
IMG_7376 - TIFR - Lab space - 1.JPG
A current view of one of the fly labs at the Department of Biological Sciences at TIFR, some of the original lab spaces for the faculty that eventually moved to NCBS.
1993 July - TIFR Council Meet - Natl Centres - 7.pdf
In a unique meeting at the Bombay House in July 1993, the TIFR Council headed by JRD Tata recognized the need for a formal process for creating National Centres like NCBS and NCRA. The by-laws of the institute were changed to allow for this autonomy.
Office of the Registrar, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research
1993 July - TIFR Council Meet - Natl Centres - 2.pdf
In a unique meeting at the Bombay House in July 1993, the TIFR Council headed by JRD Tata recognized the need for a formal process for creating National Centres like NCBS and NCRA. The by-laws of the institute were changed to allow for this autonomy. NCBS already had this autonomy detailed in a memo from TIFR in May 1992.
Office of the Registrar, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research
1993 July - TIFR Council Meet - Natl Centres - 1.pdf
In a unique meeting at the Bombay House in July 1993, the TIFR Council headed by JRD Tata recognized the need for a formal process for creating National Centres like NCBS and NCRA. The by-laws of the institute were changed to allow for this autonomy. NCBS already had this autonomy detailed in a memo from TIFR in May 1992.
Office of the Registrar, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research
1992-05-14 Fr.V Singh - NCBS - Centre Director authorities - 7.tif
In May 1992, TIFR issued a set of guidelines for the extent of autonomy at NCBS and the kinds of decisions a new 'Centre Director' at NCBS could take, including some faculty appointments, purchasing freedom and "official entertainment".
Courtesy of TM Sahadevan
1992-05-14 Fr.V Singh - NCBS - Centre Director authorities - 6.tif
In May 1992, TIFR issued a set of guidelines for the extent of autonomy at NCBS and the kinds of decisions a new 'Centre Director' at NCBS could take, including some faculty appointments, purchasing freedom and "official entertainment".
Courtesy of TM Sahadevan
1992-05-14 Fr.V Singh - NCBS - Centre Director authorities - 5.tif
In May 1992, TIFR issued a set of guidelines for the extent of autonomy at NCBS and the kinds of decisions a new 'Centre Director' at NCBS could take, including some faculty appointments, purchasing freedom and "official entertainment".
Courtesy of TM Sahadevan
1992-05-14 Fr.V Singh - NCBS - Centre Director authorities - 4.tif
In May 1992, TIFR issued a set of guidelines for the extent of autonomy at NCBS and the kinds of decisions a new 'Centre Director' at NCBS could take, including some faculty appointments, purchasing freedom and "official entertainment".
Courtesy of TM Sahadevan
1992-05-14 Fr.V Singh - NCBS - Centre Director authorities - 3.tif
In May 1992, TIFR issued a set of guidelines for the extent of autonomy at NCBS and the kinds of decisions a new 'Centre Director' at NCBS could take, including some faculty appointments, purchasing freedom and "official entertainment".
Courtesy of TM Sahadevan
1992-05-14 Fr.V Singh - NCBS - Centre Director authorities - 2.tif
In May 1992, TIFR issued a set of guidelines for the extent of autonomy at NCBS and the kinds of decisions a new 'Centre Director' at NCBS could take, including some faculty appointments, purchasing freedom and "official entertainment".
Courtesy of TM Sahadevan
1992-05-14 Fr.V Singh - NCBS - Centre Director authorities - 1.tif
In May 1992, TIFR issued a set of guidelines for the extent of autonomy at NCBS and the kinds of decisions a new 'Centre Director' at NCBS could take, including some faculty appointments, purchasing freedom and "official entertainment".
Courtesy of TM Sahadevan
1991 Oct 23 Narayanan DAE To TIFR - NCBS Sanction Order - 1.tif
The DAE sanction order to TIFR to set up the Centre for Fundamental Research in Biological Sciences, which would eventually become the National Centre for Biological Sciences. The Oct 22, 1991, letter was followed up by another one on Oct 23 due to a typo in the cost breakdown.
Records Office, TIFR
1991 NIAS Lecture - Science Trends - OS Hand Written - 3.tif
Discussion on institutional autonomy are closely to its administration. In his lecture at the new National Institute for Advanced Studies in 1991, Obaid Siddiqi shared his concern for the administration of science, saying that "one of the major impediments that hinder the progress of science in our country is its administrative structure."
Siddiqi Family / NCBS Archives
1991 NIAS Lecture - Science Trends - OS Hand Written - 2.tif
Discussion on institutional autonomy are closely to its administration. In his lecture at the new National Institute for Advanced Studies in 1991, Obaid Siddiqi shared his concern for the administration of science, saying that "one of the major impediments that hinder the progress of science in our country is its administrative structure."
Siddiqi Family / NCBS Archives
1990 NCBS Proposal - UAS sketch.pdf
The final version of the proposal to build a Centre for Fundamental Research in Biological Sciences (soon to become the National Centre for Biological Sciences). Included in these excerpted pages are the vision for the centre, the planned staff size, and the expected objectives.
NCBS Archives
1990 NCBS Proposal - Summary.pdf
The final version of the proposal to build a Centre for Fundamental Research in Biological Sciences (soon to become the National Centre for Biological Sciences). Included in these excerpted pages are the vision for the centre, the planned staff size, and the expected objectives.
NCBS Archives
1990 NCBS Proposal - Staff number.pdf
The final version of the proposal to build a Centre for Fundamental Research in Biological Sciences (soon to become the National Centre for Biological Sciences). Included in these excerpted pages are the vision for the centre, the planned staff size, and the expected objectives.
NCBS Archives
1990 NCBS Proposal – Objectives_2.pdf
The final version of the proposal to build a Centre for Fundamental Research in Biological Sciences (soon to become the National Centre for Biological Sciences). Included in these excerpted pages are the vision for the centre, the planned staff size, and the expected objectives.
NCBS Archives
1990 NCBS Proposal – Objectives_1.pdf
The final version of the proposal to build a Centre for Fundamental Research in Biological Sciences (soon to become the National Centre for Biological Sciences). Included in these excerpted pages are the vision for the centre, the planned staff size, and the expected objectives.
NCBS Archives
1990 NCBS Proposal - Founding members.pdf
The final version of the proposal to build a Centre for Fundamental Research in Biological Sciences (soon to become the National Centre for Biological Sciences). Included in these excerpted pages are the vision for the centre, the planned staff size, and the expected objectives.
NCBS Archives
1990 NCBS Proposal - Financial outlay.pdf
The final version of the proposal to build a Centre for Fundamental Research in Biological Sciences (soon to become the National Centre for Biological Sciences). Included in these excerpted pages are the vision for the centre, the planned staff size, and the expected objectives.
NCBS Archives
1990 NCBS Proposal - Cover Page.pdf
The final version of the proposal to build a Centre for Fundamental Research in Biological Sciences (soon to become the National Centre for Biological Sciences). Included in these excerpted pages are the vision for the centre, the planned staff size, and the expected objectives.
NCBS Archives
1990 NCBS Proposal - Conclusion IAS Princeton.pdf
The final version of the proposal to build a Centre for Fundamental Research in Biological Sciences (soon to become the National Centre for Biological Sciences). Included in these excerpted pages are the vision for the centre, the planned staff size, and the expected objectives.
NCBS Archives
1988 March - OS ppt to TIFR faculty - incl 1978.tif
Notes from Obaid Siddiqi's presentation to the TIFR Faculty in 1988, on his proposal to set up a new centre for biology. Siddiqi summarizes the journey from 1978, based on an invitation from S. Ramaseshan to start a joint TIFR-IISC centre for biological research.
Courtesy of Indira Chowdhury
1985 Sep - DST to Siddiqi - Approval for 1980-85 plan biology centre.tif
The National Biotechnology Board sends its approval in September 1985 to TIFR for allowing the set up of a Centre for Fundamental Research in Biological Sciences under the Department of Atomic Energy.
1985 Jul Rajgopal To Sreekantan (Planning Commission) (1).tif
The central government's letter to TIFR in July 1985, indicating the Planning Commission's approval of the biology centre and other proposal made by TIFR. The "Centre for Fundamental Research in Biological Sciences" is included as a "National Scheme" under the Department of Atomic Energy.
1981 TIFR Council Meeting - Dec - NCBS idea - 3.pdf
Obaid Siddiqi wrote a proposal for a new biology centre as part of TIFR’s 1980-1985 Five Year Plan, based on S. Ramaseshan’s invitation to set it up at IISc. But even though it was approved by the government, the IISc plan lost steam. This extract shows the first time the idea came up for discussion in the TIFR Council Meeting Minutes. December 2, 1981.
Office of the Registrar, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research
1981 TIFR Council Meeting - Dec - NCBS idea - 2.pdf
Obaid Siddiqi wrote a proposal for a new biology centre as part of TIFR’s 1980-1985 Five Year Plan, based on S. Ramaseshan’s invitation to set it up at IISc. But even though it was approved by the government, the IISc plan lost steam. This extract shows the first time the idea came up for discussion in the TIFR Council Meeting Minutes. December 2, 1981.
Office of the Registrar, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research
1967 Mol Bio Course - TIFR - lawn photo.tif
Participants at a molecular biology course at TIFR in the 1960s, including P.K. Maitra (first from left).
Courtesy Department of Biological Sciences, TIFR
1960s 70s TIFR - Molecular Bio lab - 2.jpg
The molecular biology unit floor in the 1960s and early 1970s. Lab spaces were shared when the unit started as was the case decades later when NCBS started in the TIFR-IISC centre. When the first NCBS building was built in the late 1990s, individual labs were incorporated in the design. The 2012 Southern Laboratories Complex (SLC) design is a departure from that, opting for a large, shared lab space.
TIFR Archives
2012-Reminiscing_Jayant-angry-letter_INSTTN-PAPER-TRAIL.mp4
The long wait for an NCBS - Jayant Udgaonkar
2012-Genes-to-olfaction_Vijay-Role-of-OS-hi-level_INSTTN-CHAR.mp4
Obaid Siddiqi and institution building - K VijayRaghavan
2014-KSK-memorial-KV-KSK-marine-bldg_INSTTN-AUTONOMY.mp4
K S Krishnan's marine biology building - K VijayRaghavan
1991 Feb Lease Deed Bw TIFR and UAS (9).tif
The first page of the lease deed signed by the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) and TIFR for 20 acres and 10 guntas of land at the rate of one rupee for 50 years, and extendable by another 50 years. February 8, 1991.
Courtesy of TM Sahadevan
1991 Feb Lease Deed Bw TIFR and UAS (8).tif
The first page of the lease deed signed by the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) and TIFR for 20 acres and 10 guntas of land at the rate of one rupee for 50 years, and extendable by another 50 years. February 8, 1991.
Courtesy of TM Sahadevan
1991 Feb Lease Deed Bw TIFR and UAS (7).tif
The first page of the lease deed signed by the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) and TIFR for 20 acres and 10 guntas of land at the rate of one rupee for 50 years, and extendable by another 50 years. February 8, 1991.
Courtesy of TM Sahadevan
1991 Feb Lease Deed Bw TIFR and UAS (5).tif
The first page of the lease deed signed by the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) and TIFR for 20 acres and 10 guntas of land at the rate of one rupee for 50 years, and extendable by another 50 years. February 8, 1991.
Courtesy of TM Sahadevan
1991 Feb Lease Deed Bw TIFR and UAS (3).tif
The first page of the lease deed signed by the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) and TIFR for 20 acres and 10 guntas of land at the rate of one rupee for 50 years, and extendable by another 50 years. February 8, 1991.
Courtesy of TM Sahadevan
1991 Apr 8 UAS to TIFR - Hand over letter.tif
University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) hands over the 20 acres of land to TIFR in April 1991.
Courtesy of TM Sahadevan
1991 Apr - TMS to UAS - stop work on GKVK land.tif
After the memorandum of understanding was signed between the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) and TIFR, there was the additional problem of ensuring that it didn’t get used for other purposes.
1990 Nov TMS To Vijay Raghavan - Telecom strike.tif
Even though TIFR had in principle got confirmation that they could get land in the University of Agricultural Sciences and they were very close to a memorandum of understanding, much depended on the vagaries of the people in power. TM Sahadevan, one of the main administrative officers for NCBS, expresses his concern to K VijayRaghavan.
Courtesy of TM Sahadevan
1985-1990 TIFR_5-yr-plan_2.pdf
Excerpts from the 1985-90 Five Year Plan from TIFR. It includes the proposal for a Centre for Fundamental Research in Biological Sciences, stating that a "strong school of basic research in modern biology in India is of great and vital interest to the country".
1985-1990 TIFR_5-yr-plan_1.pdf
Excerpts from the 1985-90 Five Year Plan from TIFR. It includes the proposal for a Centre for Fundamental Research in Biological Sciences, stating that a "strong school of basic research in modern biology in India is of great and vital interest to the country".
1989 June - TIFR Council Meet - 90-95 Proposal UAS approval - 7.pdf
In June 1989, the TIFR Council approved the proposals for the eighth Five Year Plan, including the set up at the University of Agricultural Sciences campus and the hiring of faculty and administrative staff. This was also a time when the country faced a resource crunch, and the Council discusses various ways in which they could manage the money.
Office of the Registrar, TIFR
1989 June - TIFR Council Meet - 90-95 Proposal UAS approval - 6.pdf
In June 1989, the TIFR Council approved the proposals for the eighth Five Year Plan, including the set up at the University of Agricultural Sciences campus and the hiring of faculty and administrative staff. This was also a time when the country faced a resource crunch, and the Council discusses various ways in which they could manage the money.
Office of the Registrar, TIFR
1989 June - TIFR Council Meet - 90-95 Proposal UAS approval - 5.pdf
In June 1989, the TIFR Council approved the proposals for the eighth Five Year Plan, including the set up at the University of Agricultural Sciences campus and the hiring of faculty and administrative staff. This was also a time when the country faced a resource crunch, and the Council discusses various ways in which they could manage the money.
Office of the Registrar, TIFR
1989 June - TIFR Council Meet - 90-95 Proposal UAS approval - 4.pdf
In June 1989, the TIFR Council approved the proposals for the eighth Five Year Plan, including the set up at the University of Agricultural Sciences campus and the hiring of faculty and administrative staff. This was also a time when the country faced a resource crunch, and the Council discusses various ways in which they could manage the money.
Office of the Registrar, TIFR
1989 June - TIFR Council Meet - 90-95 Proposal UAS approval - 3.pdf
In June 1989, the TIFR Council approved the proposals for the eighth Five Year Plan, including the set up at the University of Agricultural Sciences campus and the hiring of faculty and administrative staff. This was also a time when the country faced a resource crunch, and the Council discusses various ways in which they could manage the money.
Office of the Registrar, TIFR
1989 June - TIFR Council Meet - 90-95 Proposal UAS approval - 2.pdf
In June 1989, the TIFR Council approved the proposals for the eighth Five Year Plan, including the set up at the University of Agricultural Sciences campus and the hiring of faculty and administrative staff. This was also a time when the country faced a resource crunch, and the Council discusses various ways in which they could manage the money.
Office of the Registrar, TIFR