The National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), a constituent research laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was established in 1961 with the mission to carry out research in multidisciplinary areas of the highly complex structure and processes of the Earth system and its extensively interlinked subsystems. NGRI has the mandate to conduct research for public-good science to enable government agencies, public and private sector stakeholders to make informed decisions about use of geo-resources sustainably and improve preparedness and resilience to natural hazards. As a close understanding of Earth processes and its intersections with the growth and development of the human society only can secure the future, it is our vision to develop the knowledge base of Earth system processes and apply it to produce strategies to minimize loss of life and property from natural disaster as well as manage water, energy, and mineral resources for enhancing the quality of life.

The research activities fall broadly under three themes: Geodynamics, which revolve round investigating and modeling fundamental aspects of the Earth system and processes, Earthquake Hazards, which encompass features on the surface and subsurface of crust which may potentially endanger lives and properties through catastrophes like earthquakes and landslides as well as deterioration in pollution levels of groundwater and soil, changes in climatic conditions and associated environmental issues. The theme Natural Resources comprise of implementation of techniques to identify primary geo-resources, which are the pillars of human civilization and fount of economic growth like groundwater, hydrocarbons as well as alternate energy sources and minerals.

The Institute is structured into seven major R&D Groups and twenty one Activities, which include expertise in a variety of geophysical, geochemical, geological techniques like Seismology, Magnetotellurics, GPS, Paleo-seismology, Structural geology, Controlled source seismics, Gravity and Magnetics, Geochemistry, Geochronology, Paleomagnetism, Planetary geology, Geomagnetism, Airborne geophysics, Shallow subsurface geophysics and Rock Mechanics, Hydrochemistry, Paleo-environmental studies and Modeling and simulation of Earth processes. With 95 qualified scientists and equal number of technical staff, 150 project researchers and 50 PhD students, state-of-art computational and laboratory facilities and a nation wide network of observation sites, NGRI in partnership with sister agencies, public sector and private industries is committed to address the challenges of the near future and bring the benefits of science to impact societal priorities.