Marking a significant milestone in India’s environmental governance and renewable energy ecosystem, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on January 5 inaugurated two apex national facilities at the CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL).
Addressing the 80th Foundation Day celebrations of CSIR–NPL, he inaugurated the world’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory and the world’s fifth National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration. He described the twin inaugurations as a major leap for India in environmental regulation and solar metrology, placing the country among a select group of global leaders in these critical domains.
He said the National Environmental Standard Laboratory would strengthen India’s environmental governance framework by enabling accurate, transparent and India-specific calibration and certification of air pollution monitoring systems. He noted that the facility would support regulators, industries and startups by ensuring monitoring instruments are tested under Indian climatic conditions, thereby improving compliance and enforcement under initiatives such as the National Clean Air Programme.
Singh said the National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration makes India part of an elite global league in solar metrology. Developed in collaboration with Germany’s PTB, the facility uses a laser-based Differential Spectral Responsivity system with one of the lowest global uncertainties for reference solar cell calibration. He said the facility would reduce dependence on foreign certification agencies, save foreign exchange, shorten calibration timelines and boost investor confidence in India’s rapidly expanding solar sector.
Highlighting the legacy of CSIR-NPL, Singh described institutions like NPL as “monuments of New India” that embody the country’s scientific journey from the pre-Independence era to global technological leadership.