About ICMR
- It is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
- ICMR was established in 1911 as the Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA).
- It was renamed Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 1949.
- ICMR is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- The DHR functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- The headquarters of ICMR is located in New Delhi.
Major Functions
- ICMR formulates and promotes biomedical research related to India’s major health challenges.
- It supports research on communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, nutrition, vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.
- It generates scientific evidence for improving public-health policies and programmes.
- It promotes the translation of biomedical research into practical healthcare applications.
Intramural and Extramural Research
- Intramural research refers to research conducted within ICMR’s own institutes and centres.
- Extramural research refers to research supported by ICMR in institutions outside its own network, such as universities and medical colleges.
- This distinction is important for statement-based Prelims questions.
Important ICMR Institutions
- National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune is associated with research on viruses and infectious diseases.
- National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad is associated with nutrition research.
- National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT), Chennai focuses on tuberculosis research.
Conclusion
- ICMR is India’s apex biomedical research body, established in 1911 as IRFA and renamed in 1949, supporting scientific research and evidence-based approaches to address major health challenges.
| This concept has been elaborately discussed in the following article: H1N1 Alert: Why ICMR Says There Is No Cause for Panic |