π Topic 04 of 6 Β· Chapter 10 Β· Scientific Institutions of India
ICMR & Medical Research in India
ICMR oldest institution, Covaxin development, COVID-19 testing, AIIMS β complete notes for UPSC & PSC exams.
π₯ ICMR β Key Facts
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Indian Council of Medical Research |
| Founded | 1911 (as Indian Research Fund Association β IRFA); renamed ICMR in 1949 |
| Significance | Oldest scientific institution in India |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Under | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
| Institutes | 26 national institutes + 6 regional medical research centres |
π₯ ICMR’s Role in COVID-19
- Collaborated with Bharat Biotech to develop Covaxin β India’s first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine
- Established India’s COVID-19 testing protocol β first RT-PCR test in India
- Coordinated with NIV (National Institute of Virology), Pune β isolated SARS-CoV-2 virus in India
- Conducted sero-surveys to estimate COVID-19 spread in India
- Developed rapid antigen tests for COVID-19
π₯ AIIMS β All India Institute of Medical Sciences
- India’s premier medical institutions β 25 AIIMS across India
- First AIIMS: AIIMS New Delhi (1956) β established by PM Nehru
- Declared Institutes of National Importance
- Provide undergraduate (MBBS), postgraduate, and doctoral medical education
- Conduct cutting-edge medical research
- AIIMS New Delhi = India’s top medical institution; ranked among world’s best
- NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences) β Bengaluru β premier mental health institution
β Key Facts:
β’ ICMR = 1911 = oldest scientific institution in India = New Delhi
β’ ICMR + Bharat Biotech = Covaxin = India’s first indigenous COVID vaccine
β’ NIV (Pune) = National Institute of Virology = isolated SARS-CoV-2 in India
β’ AIIMS = 25 institutions = premier medical education and research
β’ First AIIMS = New Delhi (1956) = PM Nehru
β’ ICMR = 1911 = oldest scientific institution in India = New Delhi
β’ ICMR + Bharat Biotech = Covaxin = India’s first indigenous COVID vaccine
β’ NIV (Pune) = National Institute of Virology = isolated SARS-CoV-2 in India
β’ AIIMS = 25 institutions = premier medical education and research
β’ First AIIMS = New Delhi (1956) = PM Nehru