India Joins Elite Global League in Solar Metrology
Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates two apex national facilities at CSIR–NPL on its 80th Foundation Day.
- World’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory inaugurated
- World’s fifth National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration launched
- Facilities to strengthen India’s clean air and renewable energy ecosystem
- India reduces dependence on foreign solar calibration agencies
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 5th Jan: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO, Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday inaugurated the world’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory and the world’s fifth National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration at the CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (NPL) during its 80th Foundation Day celebrations.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said the National Environmental Standard Laboratory marks a major leap in India’s environmental governance, while the Solar Cell Calibration Facility places India among an elite group of global leaders in solar metrology. He described premier scientific institutions like CSIR–NPL as “monuments of New India”, reflecting the nation’s scientific journey from pre-Independence foundations to global technological leadership.
Dr Jitendra Singh underlined that science and technology reforms will be key drivers of India’s socio-economic growth. Recalling NPL’s legacy, he said the laboratory has played a historic role in shaping everyday life, noting that for decades half the nation synchronised its watches with the atomic clock housed at NPL, which established Indian Standard Time.
The National Environmental Standard Laboratory will provide India-specific calibration and certification of air pollution monitoring systems, enabling transparent and accurate environmental data. The facility will support regulators, industries and startups, improving enforcement under programmes such as the National Clean Air Programme.
The Solar Cell Calibration Facility, developed in partnership with PTB, Germany, uses a laser-based Differential Spectral Responsivity (L-DSR) system with the lowest global uncertainty level of 0.35 per cent (k=2). The facility will cut dependence on foreign certification agencies, save foreign exchange, and boost investor confidence in India’s expanding solar sector.
CSIR Director General N Kalaiselvi congratulated NPL on completing 80 years of service and highlighted its growing global standing in environmental and solar calibration. She also stressed the strategic importance of NPL’s atomic clocks in supporting national timekeeping.
The event also saw the release of several Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya (BNDs), gas and silica fume standards, and the signing of multiple MoUs to support indigenous manufacturing, startups and MSMEs.
Concluding his address, Dr Jitendra Singh said scientific institutions are central to national aspirations and will continue to carry India forward on the path of Atmanirbhar Bharat and technological leadership towards 2047.
