It gives me great pleasure to extend a warm greeting to all who are interested in our institute and its endeavors. I do understand the visit to our website might be for various reasons: like, what we can offer in terms of technical & technological solutions, what services including training/skilling this institute can render, what HR opportunities it bestows, what new science the institute has been doing and positioning internationally, what intellectual value it has and engaged with or possibly a craving to study the S&T scenario of public funded research institutions like ours, to name a few.

At CSIR-CSMCRI, we are committed to conducting cutting-edge research in various domains of marine resources and related fields by exploring, harnessing, and transforming them for the people's good. Through our research, we associate/engage in several national mission programs like Seaweeds, Desalination, Make-in-India, Waste-to-Wealth, Start-up/MSME, Skill India, CCUS, Hydrogen, Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat to name a few. Most of our programs are also in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our dedicated team of scientists, engineers, researchers, and staff work tirelessly push the boundaries of knowledge and innovation in these areas. Through our research, we aim to address critical challenges, foster sustainable development, and contribute to advancing science and technology with the large endeavor of serving industries and society.

As a premier research institute under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR; www.csir.res.in), we take pride in our rich legacy of scientific excellence and contributions to the nation's growth and development spanning over seven decades. Our major thrust areas of research include salt and marine chemicals, membrane-based desalination & separation processes, catalysis for marine-based organic chemicals, including polymers, specialty inorganic materials, renewable energy, and waste-to-wealth creation processes. We also intensely carry out research on seaweeds, microalgae, and halophytes comprising cultivation, their downstream processing to value-added products, and molecular biology & biotechnology. We conduct in-depth research on saline waste management for value recovery, environmental impact assessment, and building human resources through S&T-led sustainable innovations that cater to enhancing the well-being of the society and nation at large with an endeavor of enabling a circular economy. The institute currently has many young researchers who are extremely passionate and have tremendous zeal to work on several of these domains, complemented by the wisdom and experience of senior researchers. The institute has a world-class centralized instrumentation analytical facility, knowledge resource platforms backed up with state-of-art information services and an augmented engineering services division with a creative workshop.

It is my privilege and pleasure to present here the recent happenings of the institute during 2023-24. CSIR-CSMCRI has licensed several technologies to companies/MSMEs/entrepreneurs/start-ups, granted many international & national patents, published many high-impact scientific articles, skilled and groomed many aspirants, and mentored many students and researchers. During 2023-24, 34 patents were granted, of which seven were foreign. 16 other patent applications have been filed. Six technologies successfully transferred to 10 licensees, which include De-Potash Vinasse with indigenous sulfide oxidizing bacteria as a new aquaculture symbiotic "Aqua Boost"; Process know-how for the production of refined carrageenan from semi-refined carrageenan; Utilization of dry sea mix knowhow; Kappaphycus alvarezii Sap, its method of production from seaweed as basic raw material, and its application; Process know-how for production of solvent- resistant membrane; and Cultivation of Salicornia brachiata for generating higher biomass for value addition. We are very happy to inform you that some of our technologies, potash, seaweeds, etc., have been commercialized in this period.

In this period, we have undertaken around 37 projects with renowned industries and agencies such as Hindustan Salts Limited, Grasim Industries Limited, National Aluminium Company, Tata Chemicals Limited, M/s. DCM Shriram Limited; L'oreal India Pvt Limited; Department of Science & Technology GoI; Central Pollution Control Board; Science and Engineering Research Board; Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry & Dairying, GoI, and many others. Regarding measurable performance, scientists working at CSIR-CSMCRI published 262 research papers with an average impact factor of 5.7 and contributed to many book chapters with national and international publishers. Several scientists and students were rewarded with awards/memberships/fellowships. It is also heartening to mention that some of our scientists were associated with the nation's policy, technical, and administrative decisions.

As part of the Azadi ka Amrit Kaal, many activities were organized. During the year, the institute organized international conferences, seminars, workshops, the Zonal Indoors of Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Memorial Tournament, a prelude to the India International Science Festival, and celebrated national/organizational importance days. CSIR-CSMCRI contributed significantly to human resource development; 26 students were awarded Ph.D. degrees, and 160 students from various institutes and Universities did their M.Sc./B.Tech/B.E dissertations at the Institute. These activities have been augmented through the Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR) and HR Cell. This year, the institute's students have also organized for the first time a “Gujarat Research Scholars Connect”. Through the CSIR-Integrated Skill Initiative program, over 678 people/entrepreneurs were skilled through 20 different training programs organized in the institute. Many distinguished scientists, academicians, and industrialists visited the institute for lectures and discussions. To update proficiency, scientists of the institute participated periodically in various training programs. Further, to enhance R&D collaborations with industries, academics, and other research laboratories, the institute has signed 61 MoUs/agreements during this period. Contributing to societal welfare, the institute extended its services in free training on seaweed cultivation & processing and distribution of elite seedlings to the coastal farmers, imparted training on scientific interventions to improve the quality and yield of salt produced by marginal agarias and ignited the scientific acumen among 7265 school students and teachers under CSIR-Jigyasa program. No wonder when SCIMAGO announced its ranking recently, the institute stands as one of the top 50 institutions in India among the 457 institutions it assessed.

This website is a gateway to our institute, providing comprehensive information about our research areas, facilities, achievements, and collaborative endeavors. Whether you are a student, a researcher, an organization, an industry, MSME, or a start-up looking for a partnership or simply an interested individual, we invite you to explore our website and learn more about our exciting work. The institute has a great passion to contribute to the welfare of society and industry through its scientific and technological interventions. Together, we can positively impact and contribute to a brighter future for future generations. As we march towards CSIR@100 in 2042 and India@2047 - Amrit kaal, we shall jointly create proud moments for India through Scientific & Technological interventions.

Thank you for reading and visiting our website, and we look forward to your continued support and engagement. Should there be suggestions/improvements/inclusions you would like to offer, please feel free to drop an email @ director@csmcri.res.in