CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), New Delhi came into existence on 01-04-2021 with the merger of erstwhile CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (CSIR-NISCAIR), New Delhi and erstwhile CSIR-National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (CSIR-NISTADS), New Delhi vide CSIR OM No. 5-1(762)/2021-PD Dated 28-05-2021.
It was first announced on 14-01-2021 by Hon’ble Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, former Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences.
Consequent upon the merger of erstwhile CSIR-NISCAIR & erstwhile CSIR-NISTADS into a new institute CSIR-NIScPR, all units/divisions have been reorganized.
Both these institutions have a strong legacy of more than seven decades and contributed in the National Science, Technology & Innovation (ST&I) system in many different ways. The new entity may serve as a ‘Think Tank’ for Indian ST&I system and may lead ST&I communication and policy studies at National level fulfilling the emerging National aspirations and needs.

The National Knowledge Resource Consortium (NKRC), established in year 2009 is one of the major activities of CSIR-NIScPR. It is a network of libraries and information centres of 43 CSIR , 26 DST and 12 MoES institutes. NKRC’s origin goes back to the year 2001, when the CSIR set up the Electronic Journals Consortium to provide access to 1200 odd journals of Elsevier Science to all its users. Over a period of time, the Consortium not only grew in terms of the number of resources but also in terms of the number of users as more like-minded institutes evinced interest to join the Consortium.

Today, NKRC facilitates access to 6,000+ e-journals of all major publishers, patents, standards, citation and bibliographic databases. Apart from licensed resources, NKRC is also a single point entity that provides its users with access to a multitude of open access resources. The Consortium envisions emerging as a leader to serve the R&D sector with much needed information to strengthen the research and development system in the country.