In a decisive move to safeguard India’s critical scientific infrastructure amid prevailing security concerns, the Union Government has ordered enhanced security at major technical and scientific installations located in border areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Chandigarh, and the northwestern regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Key Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) facilities in Srinagar and Leh will be among the installations receiving bolstered protection.

The directive was issued during a high-level security preparedness meeting chaired by Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO, Atomic Energy, Space, and Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh. The meeting brought together secretaries of DST, DBT, IMD, CSIR, and Directors of autonomous scientific institutes to assess risks and plan immediate safeguards for research institutions in sensitive areas.

Emphasis was laid on strengthening preparedness across CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (Jammu), CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (Chandigarh), CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (Jalandhar), CSIR-IMTECH (Chandigarh), DBT’s National Agri-Food and Biomanufacturing Institute (Mohali), IMD installations in Srinagar, and Earth Sciences research stations across Ladakh and surrounding zones.

Dr. Singh underscored the strategic importance of these facilities, noting their roles in national weather forecasting, disaster response, and scientific innovation. All institutions have been instructed to immediately review and reinforce internal security protocols, establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for emergency response, and maintain constant communication with local district administrations for real-time coordination.

To address safety and operational challenges, examinations and research proposal deadlines are to be deferred to accommodate students and scholars who have relocated due to the security situation. The Director General of IMD has been tasked with intensifying protection measures at all vital meteorological data centres and field stations.

In addition to physical security upgrades, Dr. Singh called for internal readiness measures, including awareness programs, evacuation strategies, mock drills, and staff sensitisation sessions. He also directed institutions to host blood donation camps and self-defence workshops for faculty, researchers, and students to boost morale and preparedness.

The meeting also included inputs from senior officials such as Dr. Abhay Karandikar (Secretary, DST), Dr. Rajesh Gokhale (Secretary, DBT), Dr. N. Kalaiselvi (DG, CSIR), Mrutyunjay Mohapatra (DG, IMD), and Senthil Pandian (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences), alongside other directors who joined via video conferencing.

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Concluding the session, Dr. Singh instructed all departments to compile a comprehensive facility inventory for sensitive zones and submit it to national security agencies, ensuring robust protection of the nation’s scientific backbone.

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