**Executive Summary**
The CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO), Goa, celebrated its 61st Foundation Day on January 1, 2026. The event was themed "Space Technology for a Healthier Ocean" and featured a lecture by Nilesh Desai of ISRO and an exhibition showcasing NIO's attractions. The event also touched upon the upcoming Oceansat-3A/Oceansat-3A mission.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Foundation Day Celebration:**
* CSIR-NIO celebrated its 61st Foundation Day (Diamond Jubilee) on January 1, 2026.
* The event theme was "Space Technology for a Healthier Ocean".
* **Event Highlights:**
* Nilesh Desai of ISRO delivered the Foundation Day Lecture on "Leveraging Space Technology for Advancing Ocean Research," focusing on payload innovations and Earth Observation (EO) applications.
* He reaffirmed space technology's role in bridging data gaps, supporting UN Ocean Decade goals, and strengthening Blue Economy.
* The impact of Oceansat-3 and the upcoming Oceansat-3A/Oceansat-3A mission was highlighted.
* The event included an exhibition of NIO's key attractions, such as a marine aquarium, research ship models, and oceanographic instruments.
* **Other Speakers**
* Padma Shri Prof. Vinod Singh spoke on "Creativity in Organic Synthesis and Its Implications on Human Wellbeing."
* Prof. Sunil Kumar Singh welcomed the gathering and outlined the institute's future roadmap.
* Dr. Rashmi Sharma underscored the growing synergy between space and ocean sciences.
* **Closing Remarks:**
* Chief Scientist Sh. Ilangovan gave the vote of thanks.
* The programme was anchored by Dr. Judith Gonsalves.
**Impact Analysis**
**CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO)**
* **Impact:** The celebration highlights NIO's achievements and future directions in ocean research.
* **Action Required:** Continue pioneering ocean research and integrating space technology for ocean observation.
**Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to showcase the role of space technology in advancing ocean research and supporting the Blue Economy.
* **Action Required:** Continue co-designing and co-developing national ocean applications and working with NIO on collaborative projects.
**Visitors and the Public**
* **Impact:** Increased awareness of ocean research and the role of space technology.
* **Action Required:** Engage with NIO's key attractions and learn more about ocean science.
Key Entities Referenced
CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO): The host institute celebrating its 61st Foundation Day with a focus on space technology for ocean research.
Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO: The organisation whose Director, Nilesh Desai, delivered the Foundation Day Lecture, highlighting space technology's role in ocean research.
Space Technology for a Healthier Ocean: The theme of the NIO's 61st Foundation Day event, focusing on the application of space technology in ocean research.
Oceansat-3/Oceansat-3A: Mentioned as an upcoming mission with impact on national ocean applications.
Goa: Location where the Foundation Day celebration occurred.
Ministry of Science & Technology
NIO Celebrates 61st Foundation Day with Focus
on ‘Space Technology for a Healthier Ocean’
प्रव तथ: 01 JAN 2026 8:20PM by PIB Mumbai
Goa, 1 January 2026
CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR–NIO), Goa, celebrated its 61st Foundation Day,
marking the Diamond Jubilee of the institute, at the NIO Auditorium, Dona Paula, Goa, today, 1
January. The event was on the theme “Space Technology for a Healthier Ocean”. An exhibition
was also put up at the venue on NIO’s key attractions, including the marine aquarium simulating
coral ecosystems, research ship models, oceanographic instruments, and ocean science films for
visitors and the public.
Chief Guest Sh. Nilesh Desai, Director, Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO, Ahmedabad,
delivered the Foundation Day Lecture on “Leveraging Space Technology for Advancing Ocean
Research.” He traced ISRO’s evolution, focusing on payload innovations and Earth Observation
(EO) applications for operational ocean research needs. He reaffirmed space technology’s role in
bridging data gaps, supporting UN Ocean Decade goals—Safe, Clean, Productive, and Predictive
Oceans and strengthening Blue Economy and Blue Economy verticals. He also highlighted the
impact of Oceansat-3 and the upcoming Oceansat-3A/Oceansat-3A mission, and called for co-
designing and co-development of national ocean applications.Padma Shri Prof. Vinod Singh, Chairman, Research Advisory Board (RAB), CSIR, and Former
Director, IISER, Bhopal, delivered the thoughts on “Creativity in Organic Synthesis and Its
Implications on Human Wellbeing.” He outlined the central role of organic chemistry—especially
Organic Synthesis in pharmaceuticals and drug discovery, stressing its lasting contribution to
human health and wellbeing.
Prof. Sunil Kumar Singh, Director, CSIR NIO, welcomed the gathering and highlighted six
decades of pioneering ocean research, outlining the institute’s future roadmap in emerging
marine science domains.
Emphasizing the importance of integrated scientific collaboration, Dr. Rashmi Sharma, Deputy
Director, SAC, ISRO, underscored the growing synergy between space and ocean sciences.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Chief Scientist Sh. Ilangovan, and the programme was
anchored by Dr. Judith Gonsalves, Chief Scientist.
Visitors experienced the institute’s key attractions, including the marine aquarium simulating
coral ecosystems, research ship models, oceanographic instruments, and ocean science films.* * *
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