New Delhi: In a major step towards strengthening quality standards and self-reliance in India’s traditional medicine and herbal sectors, the CSIR–Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP) has developed 14 Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya (BNDs)—India’s indigenous Certified Reference Materials (CRMs). The initiative marks a significant milestone in ensuring measurement traceability, analytical accuracy and quality assurance in AYUSH medicines.
These newly developed Indian CRMs will play a critical role in method validation, instrument calibration and regulatory compliance across the herbal, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. By providing reliable reference standards within the country, the initiative is expected to substantially reduce India’s dependence on imported reference materials while supporting consistent quality control practices.
The development of BNDs is part of a broader CSIR-led national effort, accelerated jointly by CSIR-CIMAP and CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), to promote Atmanirbhar Bharat and align with the government’s vision of self-reliance in scientific infrastructure and industrial standards.
The phytochemical BNDs were formally released on the occasion of the 80th Foundation Day of CSIR-NPL, in the august presence of Dr Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, and Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Senior scientists from CSIR-CIMAP, including Dr Prabodh Trivedi, Director, CSIR-CIMAP, and Dr Karuna Shanker, Chief Scientist, CSIR-CIMAP, attended the BND release function held at CSIR-NPL, underscoring the collaborative scientific effort behind the achievement.
Experts noted that the availability of indigenous CRMs will enhance global acceptance of Indian herbal and AYUSH products by ensuring uniformity, reliability and regulatory compliance. The initiative is also expected to boost research, innovation and export potential in the traditional medicine and phytopharmaceutical sectors.
With the development of these 14 Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya, CSIR has taken a decisive step towards strengthening India’s measurement ecosystem and reinforcing its leadership in evidence-based traditional medicine.
